A Sweet Solution to Oral Health: potential applications in preventing or treating biofilm-
related infections.
Chewing Gum with Xylitol and
Blackberry Powder Unveils
Promising Results
Scientists have found that chewing gum loaded with xylitol
and freeze-dried blackberry powder can combat oral
bacteria.
By Isabella Hampson
The oral microbiome represents a diverse microbial
Figure 1. Illustrates the healthy and unbalanced oral microbiome. In
community residing in the oral cavity. While twenty- dysbiosis, cariogenic bacteria promotes the formation of dental
five species of commensal oral streptococci inhabit the caries. Made using Biorender.
oral cavity, they can rapidly transform from being
friendly bacteria to potential foes. This is mainly Trial Design
though excessive consumption of sugar, which has The aim of this randomised controlled crossover trial
been shown to cause an imbalance in the oral was to determine the effect of a freeze-dried BP-
microbiome. Cariogenic bacteria overwhelm containing chewing gum on bacteria associated with
commensal populations and convert monosaccharides caries and periodontal disease. The study included 50
in sugar into acids that are detrimental to the teeth, healthy male and female participants of at least 18
promoting the development of dental caries as years of age, where the majority of patients had mild
illustrated in figure 1. gingivitis (inflammation of the gums) at baseline.
Participants were randomly divided into two treatment
However, what if the simple act of chewing gum could groups; one group received BP-containing gum (BG)
contribute to the reduction of these cariogenic containing 700mg of xylitol and 50mg of freeze-dried
populations? A study led in 2022 by Craig S. Miller in BP, while the control group (CG) received gum
the Centre for Oral Research at the University of containing 700mg of xylitol only. Each participant was
Kentucky demonstrated that consumption of gum provided with four pieces of gum and instructed to
containing Xylitol and freeze-dried blackberry powder chew one piece for 20 minutes at 9 am, 11 am, 1 pm,
(BP) significantly reduced bacterial loads in the mouth, and 3 pm. During this period, participants refrained
even after only one day of use. from consuming food and practicing oral hygiene.
After initial treatment, there was a one-week washout
Xylitol is a five-carbon polyol that can be artificially period and then the participants received the other
prepared or found naturally in fruits and vegetables and treatment option.
is commonly used as a sweetener in sugar-free 5ml saliva samples were collected from participants
confectionary. Xylitol has been shown to have a before (8 am) and after (4 pm) a day of gum chewing.
significant antiplaque effect on teeth surface, reducing The total and individual amounts of nine different
the risk of caries. This is attributed to xylitol's types of oral bacteria within saliva was quantified by
antibacterial properties, where it can reduce polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis. Amount of
Streptococcus mutans levels - the main causative oral bacteria in saliva represents the primary outcome
microbe of dental caries. While its antimicrobial of the study. Moreover, participants wore a customised
mechanism of action is not fully understood, xylitol stent that contained a sterile enamel chip derived from
appears to inhibit the growth, metabolism, and tooth extract. The bacteria that formed on the enamel
production of polysaccharide by S.mutans. Moreover, chips in the morning (baseline) was compared to
the mechanical action of chewing gum can stimulate afternoon bacterial loads, representing the secondary
salivation, which has been shown to dilute the effects outcome.
of oral bacteria.
Results
Blackberries, being a natural fruit rich in polyphenol
Quantitative PCR was used to assess the relative
and flavonoid antioxidants, offer various health
abundance of nine types of bacteria present in the
benefits. Studies have indicated that blackberry extract
saliva of participants at baseline and post-treatment.
possesses anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial
Saliva analysis at baseline indicated that certain
properties potentially advantageous for oral health.
bacteria, including L.buccalis, S.sanguinis,
Additionally, the extract has demonstrated the ability to
A.naeslundii, F.nucleatum, and S.mutans, were most
impact the metabolic activity of oral pathogens while
abundant, making up about 20% of total bacteria.
minimally affecting oral commensals. Thus, when
Whereas, species C.gingivalis, V.parvula, and
combined with xylitol, blackberries become a
P.intermedia were 3–60 times less abundant.
promising adjunct in chewing gum, suggesting
