The effect of tea polyphenol chewing gum on plaque pH

Objectives: The aim of the study was to evaluate the change of Plaque pH after chewing tea polyphenol gum. Methods: The investigation consisted of 8 healthy subjects (aged 23-27 years, 4 male and 4 female subjects). Subjects refrained from toothbrushing for 24 hours before the test. The pH of dental plaque was measured using a Beetrode pH microelectrode before and after sucrose challenge (1 min with a 10% sucrose solutions) as the baseline data. On the second day the pH of dental plaque was measured again before the rinse and then the subjects rinsed with a 10% sucrose solutions. After 1 min the sugar-free chewing gum was given and started to chew for 5, 10, 15, 20 min. The pH of dental plaque was measured at the same time on the non-chewing side. On the third day the same test was carried out but the chewing gum was changed to tea polyphenol gum. Results: Compared with the baseline chewing either tea polyphenol gum or sugar-free gum could increase the plaque pH recovery due to the sucrose rinsing challenge and it could maintain the dental plaque pH above the resting value. There was no statistically significant difference between tea polyphenol gum and sugar-free gum. (P>0.05) Conclusions: Both gums could increase the plaque pH and decrease the risk of caries.