Oral health Oral Health
Conditions
Interventions
Regular use (15 minutes, twice a day) of xylitol chewing gum versus no intervention. The test group is given the chewing gum to take home and use twice a day for 6 months. The
follow up is after 6 mo
Sponsors
King's College London (UK)
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
All
Inclusion criteria
Inclusion criteria: 1. Aged 60 years and over, either sex 2. Dentate: with a minimum of 6 natural teeth 3. Living independently in the community
Exclusion criteria
Exclusion criteria: 1. Living in residential care 2. Taken antibiotics during the 4 weeks prior to commencing the trial 3. Not able to understand and give informed consent
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame |
|---|---|
| Improved oral health, determined by: 1. Caries increment (decayed, missing and filled coronal surfaces) 2. Root caries index increment 3. Plaque Index Increment 4. Change in prevalence of soft tissue pathology 5. Denture debris index increment Collected during the follow-up visit at 6 months. | — |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame |
|---|---|
| 1. Changes in salivary levels of caries-associated microorganisms (mutans group streptococci, lactobacilli, yeast) 2. Change in stimulated whole salivary flow rate (ml/min) 3. change in oral health related quality of life (OHIP-14) 4. Experience of side-effects and adverse events 5. To ascertain attitudes to chewing gum as an adjunct to oral care Collected during the follow-up visit at 6 months. | — |
Countries
United Kingdom
Outcome results
None listed