title: Inhibitory effects of antiseptic mouthrinses on Streptococcus mutans, Streptococcus sanguinis and Lactobacillus acidophilus.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Oral antiseptics are valuable in controlling oral infections caused by cariogenic bacteria. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of mouthrinses and pure antiseptic compounds on Streptococcus mutans and non-mutans bacteria (Streptococcus sanguinis and Lactobacillus acidophilus).
  
  
  METHODS
  The agar diffusion assay was employed to determine bacterial growth inhibition.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Commercial mouthrinses containing chlorhexidine gluconate (0.2%), cetylpyridinium chloride (0.05%) and sodium fluoride (0.05%) produced statistically similar growth inhibition of S. mutans, S. sanguinis and L. acidophilus (with zones of inhibition ranging from 7.56 ± 0.52 mm to 7.39 ± 0.53 mm, 17.44 ± 0.94 mm to 18.31 ± 0.62 mm and 8.61 ± 1.43 to 8.67 ± 1.43 mm respectively, p > 0.05). The chlorhexidine mouthwash produced the greatest mean growth inhibition of S. sanguinis and S. mutans compared to all other mouthrinses tested (p < 0.01). The minimum concentrations at which inhibition against S. mutans could be detected were chlorhexidine gluconate at 0.005% (wt/vol), cetylpyridinium chloride 0.01% (wt/ vol), povidone iodine 10% (wt/vol) and sodium hypochlorite 0.5% (vol/vol).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Chlorhexidine (0.01%), cetylpyridinium chloride (0.01%), povidone iodine (10%) and sodium hypochlorite (0.5%) are effective at inhibiting the growth of S. mutans, S. sanguinis and L. acidophilus.
authors.affiliation: Centre for Paediatric Dentistry, School of Dentistry, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Evans
authors.affiliation: Centre for Paediatric Dentistry, School of Dentistry, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland.
authors.forename: S J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Leishman
authors.affiliation: Centre for Paediatric Dentistry, School of Dentistry, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland.
authors.forename: L J
authors.initials: LJ
authors.lastname: Walsh
authors.affiliation: Centre for Paediatric Dentistry, School of Dentistry, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland.
authors.forename: W K
authors.initials: WK
authors.lastname: Seow
mesh_terms: D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002594:Cetylpyridinium / Q000494:pharmacology; D002710:Chlorhexidine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000494:pharmacology; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D006801:Humans; D007779:Lactobacillus acidophilus / Q000187:drug effects*; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D009067:Mouthwashes / Q000494:pharmacology*; D011206:Povidone-Iodine / Q000494:pharmacology; D012969:Sodium Fluoride / Q000494:pharmacology; D012973:Sodium Hypochlorite / Q000494:pharmacology; D013291:Streptococcus / Q000187:drug effects*; D013295:Streptococcus mutans / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local; D009067:Mouthwashes; D011206:Povidone-Iodine; D012969:Sodium Fluoride; D002594:Cetylpyridinium; D012973:Sodium Hypochlorite; C010882:chlorhexidine gluconate; D002710:Chlorhexidine
keywords: Antiseptics; Streptococcus mutans; chlorhexidine; mouthrinses