Effect of Sucrose or Fructooligosaccharide Gum Chewing and Fluoridated Dentifrice on in Situ Remineralization of Artificial Carious Lesions Efeito Da Goma De Mascar Contendo Sacarose Ou Frutooligossacarídeo E Do Dentifrício Fluoretado Na Remineralização in Situ De Lesões De Cárie Artificiais

any studies have demonstrated that the use of chewing gum stimulates salivary flow, thus, enhancing the saliva remineralization potential. Fructooligosaccharides (FOS) are used in some countries as sucrose substitutes, but their cariogenic potential has not been completely elucidated yet. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of chewing gum containing sucrose or FOS (Meiji Seika, Japan) and dentifrice containing 1,500 ppm fluoride (as MFP) on in situ remineralization of artificial carious lesions. Non fluoridated dentifrice was used as control. This was a crossover study, with 8 volunteers, on four stages of 14 days. Volunteers used an acrylic resin intra-oral jaw appliance containing 2 bovine enamel blocks with artificial carious lesion. After each stage, surface enamel microhardness (Vickers, load of 200 g) was analyzed. Microhardness results demonstrated that in all groups there was remineralization. The remineralization percentual (±SD, n) was 60.9 (±7.6, n=6); 93.0 (±18.2, n=16); 77.2 (±11.6, n=10) and 93.7 (±17.4, n=16), for control, dentifrice, sucrose and FOS groups, respectively. ANOVA and Tukey’s post hoc test (p<0.05) revealed significant differences among FOS-gum and dentifrice in respect to control and sucrose-gum groups. Thus, results showed that FOS-gum chewing is as effective as fluoridated dentifrice on in situ remineralization of artificial carious lesions. Since FOS are also benefic to general health, their addition in chewing gums in substitution to sucrose should be considered.