OBJECTIVETo evaluate the effect of chewing sugar-free gum after sucrose challenge on dental plaque pH in situ.

METHODS16 healthy volunteers aged 23 - 32 years were screened as subjects. The pH of 48-hour dental plaque was measured using a Beetrode pH microelectrode when subjects chewed Extra sugar-free gum after sucrose challenge.

RESULTSDental plaque pH maintained at resting plaque pH when immediately chewed sugar-free gum after sucrose challenge. Chewing sugar-free gum at 5 min after sucrose challenge, dental plaque pH was raised from 5.59 (measured at 5 min after sucrose challenge) to 6.98 (measured at 10 min after sucrose challenge).

CONCLUSIONSChewing sugar-free gum after sucrose challenge can neutralize organic acid produced by bacteria in dental plaque and rapidly rise plaque pH.