title: Effectiveness of probiotic, chlorhexidine and fluoride mouthwash against Streptococcus mutans - Randomized, single-blind, in vivo study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine the short-term efficiency of probiotic, chlorhexidine, and fluoride mouthwashes on plaque Streptococcus mutans level at four periodic intervals.
  
  
  METHODS
  This was a single-blind, randomized control study in which each subject was tested with only one mouthwash regimen. Fifty-two healthy qualified adult patients were selected randomly for the study and were divided into the following groups: group 1- 10 ml of distilled water, group 2- 10 ml of 0.2% chlorhexidine mouthwash, group 3- 10 ml of 500 ppm F/400 ml sodium fluoride mouthwash, and group 4- 10 ml of probiotic mouthwash. Plaque samples were collected from the buccal surface of premolars and molars in the maxillary quadrant. Sampling procedure was carried out by a single examiner after 7 days, 14 days, and 30 days, respectively, after the use of the mouthwash. All the samples were subjected to microbiological analysis and statistically analyzed with one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and post-hoc test.
  
  
  RESULTS
  One-way ANOVA comparison among groups 2, 3, and 4 showed no statistical significance, whereas group 1 showed statistically significant difference when compared with groups 2, 3, and 4 at 7(th), 14(th), and 30(th) day.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Chlorhexidine, sodium fluoride, and probiotic mouthwashes reduce plaque S. mutans levels. Probiotic mouthwash is effective and equivalent to chlorhexidine and sodium fluoride mouthwashes. Thus, probiotic mouthwash can also be considered as an effective oral hygiene regimen.
authors.affiliation: Department of Conservative Dentistry and Endodontics, Saveetha Dental College, Saveetha University, Velappanchavadi, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India.
authors.forename: Mohan
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Jothika
authors.affiliation: Department of Conservative Dentistry and Endodontics, SRM Dental College, Ramapuram, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India.
authors.forename: P Pranav
authors.initials: PP
authors.lastname: Vanajassun
authors.affiliation: Department of Conservative Dentistry and Endodontics, Anil Neerukonda Institute of Dental Sciences, Vizag, Andhra Pradesh, India.
authors.forename: Battu
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Someshwar
keywords: Chlorhexidine; Streptococcus mutans; probiotic mouthwash; sodium fluoride