Effect of Recaldent Chewing Gum Versus Mastic Chewing Gum in Children

Objectives: Use of anti-cariogenic chewing gum requires the least compliance and is a well-adopted practice among the School children,pre-adolescent and the adolescent groups, as it has advantages over regular chewing gums.One of the most effective ways of prevention as well as effective modes of promoting oral health in children

Methods: Sixty healthy children aged 6-12yrs with dmft/DMFT index score ≥ 3 were included in the study. Before the test, unstimulated saliva was collected. Children divided in Group I and II were given Recaldent and Mastic chewing gums respectively; to chew for fifteen minutes. Saliva samples were then collected at fifteen mins (just after spitting) 45 mins ,5 ^th day and 60 ^th day. The amount of Streptococcus Mutans in saliva was evaluated using a selective media (MSAB)..

Results: The total number of bacterial colonies was significantly reduced when compared to baseline in both the groups. Mastic Chewing gum showed comparitivetely statistically significant reduction in the number of colonies as compared to Recaldent
Conclusions: Mastic chewing gum group showed a statistical significant reduction in Streptococcus Mutans count than the Recaldent chewing gum