Mutans streptococci suppression by chlorhexidine gel in toddlers.
OBJECTIVE
The effect of daily toothbrushing with a chlorhexidine gel on the levels of oral mutants streptococci was evaluated in a group of 37 healthy 1 1/2-year-old children.


METHODS
The microbial samplings were performed with a modified Strip mutans chair-side technique: a sterile cotton pellet on a wooden pin was rolled along the surfaces of the upper primary incisors and then rolled again on a specially prepared plastic strip. The strips were thereafter incubated and cultivated in a selective media. After baseline registrations, the parents were instructed and trained to brush the teeth of their children with a 1% chlorhexidine gel (Corsodyl), twice daily during 14-days. Follow-up samplings were obtained 1 and 3 months after termination of gel treatment.


RESULTS
The results revealed a statistically significant (P < 0.01) reduction of mutans streptococci colonization after 1 month compared with baseline. After 3 months, a certain reduction was still evident although not statistically significant from baseline.
Twetman
S
S
Department of Pedodontics, Lund University, Malmö, Sweden. svante twetman@odpedo.lu.se
Grindefjord
M
M
D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D002710:Chlorhexidine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000494:pharmacology*; D015169:Colony Count, Microbial; D003802:Dentifrices / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005260:Female; D005782:Gels; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D013295:Streptococcus mutans / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000302:isolation & purification
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D003802:Dentifrices; D005782:Gels; C010882:chlorhexidine gluconate; D002710:Chlorhexidine