International Journal of Preventive Medicine (Int J Prev Med)2008-7802002015052715291529ENDepartment of Public Health Dentistry, Narsinhbhai Patel Dental College, Visnagar, Gujarat, IndiaDepartment of Public Health Dentistry, Sardar Patel Dental College, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, IndiaDepartment of Public Health Dentistry, Narsinhbhai Patel Dental College, Visnagar, Gujarat, India20150527<strong>Background:</strong> The present study aims to assess and compare the reduction in salivary Mutans Streptococci counts after chewing Xylitol, herbal and placebo gums among high<br />school children.<br /><strong>Methods:</strong> The study was conducted among 72 school children (12&ndash;15 years) from 3 randomly selected schools (blocks). Xylitol, herbal and placebo gums were randomly allocated to 3 blocks. Subjects were instructed to chew one pellet four times a day for 21 days. The mean reduction in salivary Streptococcus mutans count was assessed.<br /><strong>Results:</strong> The 100% Xylitol sweetened chewing gum &ldquo;Xylitol&rdquo;has shown statistically signif icant reduction in salivary Mutans Streptococci colony forming units at the end of 21 days (P &lt; 0.01). The reduction was not statistically significant in herbal and placebo chewing gum.<br /><strong>Conclusions:</strong> Hundred percentage Xylitol sweetened chewing gum was found to be more effective in reducing salivary Mutans Streptococci count when compared to herbal and placebo<br />chewing gums.<br /><strong>Keywords:</strong> Gum base, herbal chewing gum, salivary Mutans Streptococci, xylitolhttp://ijpm.mui.ac.ir/index.php/ijpm/article/view/1529http://ijpm.mui.ac.ir/index.php/ijpm/article/download/1529/1817