title: Anti-microbial efficacy of green tea and chlorhexidine mouth rinses against Streptococcus mutans, Lactobacilli spp. and Candida albicans in children with severe early childhood caries: A randomized clinical study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Green tea is a beverage which is consumed worldwide and is reported to have anti-cariogenic effect. So, if it was as effective as chlorhexidine (CHX) mouth rinse against cariogenic microbes it could be considered a natural, economical alternative. The purpose of this study was to evaluate and compare the anti-microbial efficacy of 0.5% green tea and 0.2% CHX mouth rinses against Streptococcus Mutans, Lactobacilli spp. and Candida Albicans.
  
  
  METHODS
  30 children aged 4-6 years with S-ECC (based on defs score) were selected. Children were divided randomly into 2 equal groups and were asked to rinse with the prescribed mouth rinse once daily for 2 weeks after breakfast under supervision. A base-line and post rinsing non-stimulated whole salivary sample (2 ml) was collected and tested for the number of colony forming units. The data was statistically analyzed using SPSS v16.0 software with one-way ANOVA and Tukey's POSTHOC test.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A statistically significant fall in colony count was found with both the mouth rinses in Streptococcus Mutans (P < 0.001, P < 0.001) and lactobacilli (P < 0.001, P < 0.001) but not against Candida albicans (P = 0.264, P = 0.264). Against Streptococcus Mutans, green tea mouth rinse was found to be significantly better than CHX mouth rinse (P = 0.005). Against lactobacilli spp, CHX mouth rinse was significantly better than green tea mouth rinse (P < 0.001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Green tea mouth rinse can be considered safe, economical and used without much concern. However, further studies are recommended.
authors.forename: Ann
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Thomas
authors.affiliation: Department of Pedodontics and Preventive Dentistry, A. J. Institute of Dental Sciences, Mangalore, Karnataka, India.
authors.forename: Sneha R
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Thakur
authors.forename: Sowmya B
authors.initials: SB
authors.lastname: Shetty
mesh_terms: D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002176:Candida albicans / Q000187:drug effects*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002710:Chlorhexidine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D003731:Dental Caries / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007778:Lactobacillus / Q000187:drug effects*; D008297:Male; D009067:Mouthwashes / Q000494:pharmacology*; D013295:Streptococcus mutans / Q000187:drug effects*; D013662:Tea
chemical_list: D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local; D009067:Mouthwashes; D013662:Tea; D002710:Chlorhexidine