title: The effect of 1% chlorhexidine varnish and 40% xylitol solution on Streptococcus mutans and plaque accumulation in children.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of the association of 1% chlorhexidine varnish (CHX) and 40% xylitol solution (XYL) on Streptococcus mutans (SM) counts and plaque indices in 2- to 5-year-olds.
  
  
  METHODS
  Sixty-eight children were selected with medium levels (1 x 10³) to very high levels (>1 x 10⁵) of SM in the saliva. Subjects were divided into 4 groups of 17 children each: (1) CHX; (2) CHX+XYL; (3) XYL; and(4) 0.05% sodium fluoride (F). An assessment of SM levels and plaque indices was done on all children at baseline, 15 days, and at 1, 3, and 6 months. SM levels were determined by the spatula method.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Although the reduction in SM counts in all groups was statistically significant, differences among groups were not observed, and the CHX and F groups seemed to show the greatest effect. Plaque reduction was observed in all groups, whereas statistically significant decreases among groups were not observed.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  One percent chlorhexidine varnish associated with 40% xylitol solution tested in the present study does not provide significant suppression of Streptococcus mutans counts and reduction of plaque accumulation at any follow-up time points.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatric Dentistry, School of Dental Medicine, University of Pittsburg. Pa., USA.
authors.forename: Renata
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Simões Moraes
authors.forename: Adriana
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Modesto
authors.forename: Kátia
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Regina Netto Dos Santos
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Drake
mesh_terms: D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D001294:Attitude to Health; D058491:Bacterial Load / Q000187:drug effects; D002327:Cariostatic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002710:Chlorhexidine / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D003773:Dental Plaque / Q000382:microbiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D003774:Dental Plaque Index; D005260:Female; D005459:Fluorides / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D012463:Saliva / Q000382:microbiology; D013295:Streptococcus mutans / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D014993:Xylitol / Q000008:administration & dosage*
chemical_list: D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local; D002327:Cariostatic Agents; D005459:Fluorides; D002710:Chlorhexidine; D014993:Xylitol