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. 2022 May-Jun;15(3):267-272.
doi: 10.5005/jp-journals-10005-2360.

Comparative Evaluation of the Efficacy of Chlorhexidine, Fluoride and the Combined Use of Chlorhexidine and Fluoride Varnishes on Salivary Streptococcus mutans Count in Children with Mixed Dentition: An In Vivo Study

Vanita P More  1 , Shivayogi M Hugar  2 , Suma Sogi  3 , Rohan S Bhambar  4 , Suganya M  5 , Shweta Hugar  6
Affiliations

Comparative Evaluation of the Efficacy of Chlorhexidine, Fluoride and the Combined Use of Chlorhexidine and Fluoride Varnishes on Salivary Streptococcus mutans Count in Children with Mixed Dentition: An In Vivo Study

Vanita P More et al. Int J Clin Pediatr Dent. 2022 May-Jun.

Abstract

Aim: To study the effect of combination of chlorhexidine and Fluoride on the growth and colonization of cariogenic bacteria (Streptococcus mutans) in children with mixed dentition.

Materials and methods: Sixty children of age 6-14 years with mixed dentition and S. mutans count > 1 × 105 CFU/mL of saliva were divided: group I-chlorhexidine varnish; group II-Fluoride varnish; group III-Combination of chlorhexidine and Fluoride varnish. chlorhexidine and Fluoride varnishes were applied to teeth once every week for four consecutive weeks in respective groups. Salivary S. mutans count was estimated and evaluated at baseline, 1, 3, and 6 months.

Results: No significant difference was seen in group I and II at the end of 1, 3, and 6 months (p > 0.001) but the reduction in S. mutans count was statistically more significant in group III after a period of 6 months (p < 0.001). Maximum reduction in count was noted in group III at all intervals of varnish application.

Conclusion: The concomitant use of chlorhexidine and fluoride varnish would prove to be more effective than individual components over a longer period of time and especially in high caries risk children.

How to cite this article: More VP, Hugar SM, Sogi S, et al. Comparative Evaluation of the Efficacy of Chlorhexidine, Fluoride and the Combined Use of Chlorhexidine and Fluoride Varnishes on Salivary Streptococcus mutans Count in Children with Mixed Dentition: An In Vivo Study. Int J Clin Pediatr Dent 2022;15(3):267-272.

Keywords: Chlorhexidine varnish; Fluoride varnish; Mixed dentition; S. mutans.

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Conflict of interest statement

Source of support: Nil Conflict of interest: None

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Photograph showing collection of saliva sample from floor of mouth
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Photograph showing application of varnish on teeth under complete isolation
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
Mean, standard deviation (SD), and standard error of mean (SE) of dental caries experience (DMFT) according to different varnish groups
Fig. 4
Fig. 4
Comparison between the mean of Streptococcus mutans colony-forming unit per mL of saliva (x 105 CFU/mL) in chlorhexidine varnish group [group I], fluoride varnish group [group II], chlorhexidine + fluoride varnish group [group III] at baseline, 1 month, 3 months, and 6 months after the application of varnishes
Fig. 5
Fig. 5
The comparison of probability values based on Bonferroni multiple comparison test at various intervals of the study. (Intergroup comparison)
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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