PENGARUH XYLITOL TERHADAP LAJU PRODUKSI DAN pH SALIVA
Abstract
Saliva is a seromucous fluid that has several functions which are (1) lubrication and protection; (2) buffer and cleaning; (3) teeth maintenance; (4) antibacterial activity; (5) taste and digestion. The role of salivary flow rate and salivary pH are very important for all functions, and one of the substances that can help to stimulate both factors are xylitol.
This research is an experimental research with pre-test and post-test with control group approach. The sample size is 70, which later on divided into control and intervention group. On control group, respondents are asked to chew a paraffin palette for 5 minutes. While on intervention group, the respondents are asked to chew xylitol gum for 5 minutes.
The pre-test result of salivary flow rate and salivary pH on both control group and intervention group which were tested with Independent Sample T-Test shows that the baseline of salivary flow rate and pH on both groups are statistically indentical. The result of Paired T-Test on control group for salivary flow rate and salivary pH shows no statistical difference, while the result on the intervention group is statistically different.
Thus, from this research can be concluded that chewing xylitol gum for 5 minutes can increase the salivary flow rate and salivary pH.