Table 4

Mean Log₁₀ S. mutans/sobrinus and Lactobacillus spp. levels and standard deviation at baseline, six weeks and the differences between six weeks and baseline after excluding 42 children with non-measurable S. mutans/sobrinus levels at baseline for children exposed to xylitol (11.7 g/d or 15.6 g/d) or maltitol (44.7 g/day) gummy bear snack.

Group

N

Variable

Mean

Std Dev

Paired T-Test

M45 (maltitol 44.7 g/d)

40

S. mutans/sobrinus

Baseline

2.77

1.44

Six weeks

1.56

1.62

Six weeks – baseline

-1.22

1.57

p < 0.0001

Lactobacillus spp.

Baseline

2.09

1.86

Six weeks

1.83

2.03

Six weeks – baseline

-0.31

2.40

p = 0.42

X12 (xylitol 11.7 g/d)

37

S. mutans/sobrinus

Baseline

3.12

1.39

Six weeks

1.87

1.66

Six weeks – baseline

-1.21

1.10

p < 0.0001

Lactobacillus spp.

Baseline

1.96

1.86

Six weeks

1.97

1.90

Six weeks – baseline

0.01

2.39

p = 0.99

X16 (xylitol 15.6 g/d)

35

S. mutans/sobrinus

Baseline

3.35

1.49

Six weeks

1.61

1.75

Six weeks – baseline

-1.74

1.67

p < 0.0001

Lactobacillus spp.

Baseline

2.51

1.85

Six weeks

2.41

1.94

Six weeks – baseline

-0.14

2.25

p = 0.73

Ly et al. BMC Oral Health 2008 8:20   doi:10.1186/1472-6831-8-20