Microbiological evaluation of 0.2% chlorhexidine gluconate mouth rinse in orthodontic patients.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the effectiveness of 0.2% chlorhexidine gluconate mouth rinse on Streptococcus mutans and lactobacilli in orthodontic patients with fixed appliances.


METHODS
Twenty patients, aged 13-18, with fixed orthodontic appliances participated in the study. The levels of S mutans and lactobacilli in saliva samples were evaluated at four stages: at the beginning of the orthodontic treatment, at least 2 weeks after the bonding of brackets, 1 week after the introduction of 0.2% chlorhexidine gluconate mouth rinse, and at the fourth week. The changes in S mutans and lactobacilli levels were analyzed via Wilcoxon test.


RESULTS
Increases in bacterial levels of S mutans and lactobacilli were detected after the orthodontic appliances were bonded. A significant decrease in S mutans levels was observed 1 week after the introduction of chlorhexidine mouth rinse.


CONCLUSIONS
An 0.2% chlorhexidine gluconate mouth rinse decreased S mutans levels, but had no effect on lactobacilli levels.
Department of Orthodontics, Kasimpasa Military Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey. emel_sari@yahoo.com
Emel
E
Sari
Ilhan
I
Birinci
D000293:Adolescent; D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local / Q000737:chemistry / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002710:Chlorhexidine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000737:chemistry / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D007778:Lactobacillus / Q000187:drug effects*; D008297:Male; D009067:Mouthwashes / Q000737:chemistry / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D009967:Orthodontic Appliances / Q000382:microbiology; D012463:Saliva / Q000382:microbiology; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D013295:Streptococcus mutans / Q000187:drug effects*
D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local; D009067:Mouthwashes; C010882:chlorhexidine gluconate; D002710:Chlorhexidine