title: Comparative Evaluation of the Effects of Fluoride Mouthrinse, Herbal Mouthrinse and Oil Pulling on the Caries Activity and Streptococcus mutans Count using Oratest and Dentocult SM Strip Mutans Kit.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  As the technological level of healthcare increases, it is important not to lose sight of the basics of patient care. No matter how sophisticated dental techniques have become, preventive dentistry still remains the foundation for oral health. Therefore, antimicrobial mouthrinses are developed to provide an effective means of preventing colonization by micro-organisms.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to evaluate and compare the antimicrobial activity of oil pulling, herbal mouthrinses and fluoride mouthwash on the caries activity and S. mutans counts in the saliva of children, using Oratest and Dentocult SM kit.
  
  
  METHODS
  Fifty-two healthy children between the age group of 6 to 12 years were selected for the study and divided into four groups based on the mouthrinse used as group 1: fluoride, group 2: herbal, group 3: oil pulling and group 4: control. The estimation of caries activity and S. mutans was done prior to and after the subjects were instructed to use the mouthrinse twice daily for a period of 2 weeks.
  
  
  METHODS
  The comparisons were made by applying paired 't' test with the level of significance set at p < 0.05. Difference between more than two mean values was done by using ANOVA and Post hoc Bonferroni test was used for multiple comparisons.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The efficacy of fluoride and herbal mouthrinses was found to be comparable while oil pulling did not provide any additional benefit to be used as an effective antimicrobial agent in reducing the bacterial colonization of an individual. How to cite this article: Jauhari D, Srivastava N, Rana V, Chandna P. Comparative Evaluation of the Effects of Fluoride Mouthrinse, Herbal Mouthrinse and Oil Pulling on the Caries Activity and Streptococcus mutans Count using Oratest and Dentocult SM Strip Mutans Kit. Int J Clin Pediatr Dent 2015;8(2):114-118.
authors.affiliation: Senior Lecturer, Department of Pedodontics and Preventive Dentistry, Jaipur Dental College, Jaipur, Rajasthan, India.
authors.forename: Deepika
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Jauhari
authors.affiliation: Principal and Head, Department of Pedodontics and Preventive Dentistry Subharti Dental College, Meerut, Uttar Pradesh, India.
authors.forename: Nikhil
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Srivastava
authors.affiliation: Professor, Department of Pedodontics and Preventive Dentistry Subharti Dental College, Meerut, Uttar Pradesh, India.
authors.forename: Vivek
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Rana
authors.affiliation: Reader. Department of Pedodontics and Preventive Dentistry Subharti Dental College, Meerut, Uttar Pradesh, India.
authors.forename: Preetika
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Chandna
keywords: Caries activity; Dentocult SM strip mutans kit; Fluoride; Oil pulling; Oratest; Salvadora persica; Streptococcus mutans.