Effects of a 1% chlorhexidine gel on the cariogenic bacteria in high-risk elders: a pilot study.
Root caries in dentate elderly patients is a problem which may be controlled with chlorhexidine. The purpose of this pilot study was to establish the extent and duration of the antimicrobial effects from an intensive regimen of a 1% chlorhexidine gel in institutionalized elders who had experienced high caries activity in the previous year. Stimulated saliva samples from all subjects before treatment produced more than 105 colony forming units/milliliters of Streptococcus mutans (mean: 2.0 x 10(7); s.d.: 2.0 x 10(7)) when diluted and cultured on Mitus Salivarius-bacitracin agar for 48 hours. Findings suggest that daily treatments for 1 week with a 1% chlorhexidine gel can reduce the number of cariogenic bacteria in elderly people for approximately 3 weeks after treatment.
Clark
D C
DC
Department of Clinical Dental Sciences, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver.
Morgan
J
J
MacEntee
M I
MI
D000368:Aged; D002710:Chlorhexidine / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D016321:Dental Care for Aged; D003731:Dental Caries / Q000382:microbiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D005782:Gels; D006801:Humans; D009735:Nursing Homes; D010865:Pilot Projects; D012463:Saliva / Q000382:microbiology; D013295:Streptococcus mutans / Q000187:drug effects*; D014092:Tooth Root
D005782:Gels; D002710:Chlorhexidine