CompletedNot Applicable

Xylitol and Sorbitol Effects on the Oral Microbiome

29 participantsStarted 2015-03-05

Plain-language summary

Chewing gum containing xylitol may help prevent caries by reducing levels of mutans streptococci (MS) and lactobacilli in saliva and plaque. Very little is known about other species which are possibly beneficial to oral health. In this study, the investigators employed high-throughput sequencing of the 16S ribosomal ribonucleic acid (rRNA) gene to profile microbial communities of saliva and plaque following short-term consumption of xylitol and sorbitol containing chewing gum. Participants (n = 30) underwent a washout period and were randomly assigned to one of two groups. Each group chewed either xylitol or sorbitol gum for 3 weeks, before undergoing a second four-week washout period after which they switched to the alternate gum for three weeks.

Who can participate

Age range

18 Years

Sex

ALL

See this in plain English?

AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.

Inclusion Criteria: To be eligible, subjects must have been 18 years and over, have had at least 20 teeth, provided written informed consent and been willing to comply with study procedures Exclusion Criteria: Subjects with systemic, infectious or inflammatory diseases or taking medicines, antibiotics or fluoride in the last month, habitual consumers of xylitol / sorbitol-containing products and mouth rinses, with abnormal salivary flow (\<1ml / min), pregnant, on contraceptive pills, or with abnormal dietary habits were excluded

Questions worth asking your doctor

Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.

1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?

Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.

Questions for the trial coordinator

The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.

1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?

A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.

What they're measuring

Oral microbiome composition

Timeframe: 14 weeks

Trial details

NCT IDNCT03668015

SponsorThe University of The West Indies

Sponsor typeOTHER

Study typeINTERVENTIONAL

Primary completion2015-06-04

View on ClinicalTrials.gov More Human Microbiome trials