title: Evaluation of the substantivity in saliva of different forms of application of chlorhexidine.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the in vivo antimicrobial activity of different forms of application of chlorhexidine digluconate (CHX).
  
  
  METHODS
  A group of 10 volunteers performed mouth rinsings with a 0.2% and 0.12% solution of CHX and applied CHX in the form of a 0.2% gel, a 0.2% and a 0.12% spray and a swab impregnated with a 0.2% solution. Samples of saliva were taken at baseline; 30 seconds; and 1, 3, 5, and 7 hours after each application. An epifluorescence microscopy technique (BacLight Live/Dead stain) was used to evaluate bacterial vitality.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Bacterial vitality under basal conditions was 92%. At 30 seconds after CHX application, the lowest levels of viable bacteria were detected with the 0.2% and 0.12% solutions (1% and 8%, respectively). After 3 hours, the percentage of live bacteria achieved with the gel and sprays was similar to the basal figures (80% to 91%). At 7 hours, bacterial vitality recovered basal percentages, except with the 0.2% solution (77%).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The 0.2% solution of CHX had the greatest sustained antimicrobial effect on the salivary flora, confirming the influence of the concentration and form of application on CHX substantivity.
authors.affiliation: Department of Stomatology, University of Santiago de Compstela, Santiago de Compstela, Spain.
authors.forename: Lucia
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: García-Caballero
authors.forename: Inmaculada Tomás
authors.initials: IT
authors.lastname: Carmona
authors.forename: M Consuelo Cousido
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: González
authors.forename: Jacobo Limeres
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Posse
authors.forename: Jose Llovo
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Taboada
authors.forename: Pedro Diz
authors.initials: PD
authors.lastname: Dios
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000336:Aerosols; D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D002710:Chlorhexidine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives*; D015169:Colony Count, Microbial; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005782:Gels; D006801:Humans; D050296:Microbial Viability / Q000187:drug effects*; D008856:Microscopy, Fluorescence / Q000379:methods; D008875:Middle Aged; D009067:Mouthwashes; D012463:Saliva / Q000382:microbiology*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000336:Aerosols; D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local; D005782:Gels; D009067:Mouthwashes; C010882:chlorhexidine gluconate; D002710:Chlorhexidine