title: Effect of an experimental antiplaque preparation on salivary microbial counts in military academy cadets refraining from mechanical cleaning of the teeth.
abstract: Dental emergencies in the army are mostly due to infections of the teeth, caused by dental plaque micro-organisms. Because practicing normal oral hygiene is restricted during terrain maneuvers, for example, we developed a new antiseptic tablet preparation which can be used to make an antiplaque solution or even chewed and thus mixed with saliva to rinse the mouth. The preparation contains chlorhexidine, fluoride, and xylitol (XYLIHEX) and can be added to the soldier's kit. The efficiency of the preparation on selected oral micro-organisms was tested against mouthwash solutions containing plain chlorhexidine (CHX) and sodium fluoride (F) in 45 military cadets who volunteered to participate in this double-blind cross-over study. The results showed a significant decrease in salivary mutants streptococci after rinsing periods with XYLIHEX and CHX when compared with F (p less than 0.001). Lactobacilli and yeast counts were not affected. The new preparation appeared promising as a new means for improving soldiers' oral hygiene.
authors.affiliation: Military Academy of Finland, Helsinki.
authors.forename: M C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Nuuja
authors.forename: J H
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Meurman
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Torkko
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Murtomaa
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002710:Chlorhexidine / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D015169:Colony Count, Microbial; D003773:Dental Plaque / Q000382:microbiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008889:Military Personnel; D009067:Mouthwashes; D012463:Saliva / Q000382:microbiology*; D012969:Sodium Fluoride / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D014993:Xylitol / Q000008:administration & dosage*
chemical_list: D009067:Mouthwashes; D012969:Sodium Fluoride; D002710:Chlorhexidine; D014993:Xylitol