The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effect of the chewing gum containing egg-white lysozyme on gingivitis. Sixteen adults aged 18 to 26 years, who exhibited clinically slight gingivitis, were chosen for the study based on preliminary screening. The volunteers were randomly assigned to two groups of eight. They were directed to chew a piece of chewing gum containing 1% egg-white lysozyme or placebo for 5 minutes after each meal during 2 weeks. The experiments were performed in a double blind method. Oral examinations (probing depth, gingival score, bleeding score and plaque score) were carried out on day 1, day 8, and day 15 of the experimental period. All the subjects were instructed to continue their habitual toothbrushing. At the end of the experimental period, the volunteers answered a questionnaire about their subjective feelings and what they thought of the gum. The results were as follows.
1) The probing depth, the bleeding score, and the plaque score in both groups decreased at the end of the period.
2) The experimental group had a significantly larger decreace in the probing depth and plaque score than the placebo group, but there was not a significant difference in the gingival score between the two groups.
3) Concerning the size, hardness, thickness, and taste of the chewing gum, most of the subjects of both groups judged them appropriate and favorable. With respect to the mouth condition, 6 of the placebo group noticed no change, while 4 of the experimental group answered that they felt a decrease in gingival bleeding.
These results indicate that the lysozyme-containing chewing gum may be effective in the maintenance of oral health and that this gum may be acceptable to patients with gingivitis.
