Resumo

ZUCCO, Débora Luiza et al. Effect of chlorhexidine gel or toothpaste in the salivary count of mutans streptococci in children of Saí district (São Francisco do Sul, SC, Brazil). RSBO (Online) [online]. 2010, vol.7, n.1, pp. 27-34. ISSN 1984-5685.

INTRODUCTION: Dental caries is the most prevalent disease affecting humans and it is characterized by the progressive destruction of the affected teeth. A susceptible host, a cariogenic oral microflora (mainly mutans streptococci) and a suitable substrate are necessary conditions for the development of caries. Chlorhexidine is one of the most effective antimicrobial agents available for dental use in reducing the proportion of some microorganisms, especially the mutans streptococci. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to compare the effectiveness of two manipulated forms of chlorhexidine 1% (gel and toothpaste) in reducing the salivary levels of mutans streptococci, which are used by schoolchildren in supervised toothbrushing, outside the dental clinic. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The sample of 30 children was divided into two groups: group A (toothpaste) and group B (gel). Applications were performed once a week for 4 weeks. Saliva samples were collected prior to the first brushing and 30 minutes after the last one. Serial decimal dilutions of saliva samples were prepared up to 10^-3 dilution, and these samples were inoculated in Mitis Salivarius bacitracin sucrose agar, selective for growth of mutans streptococci. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: After counting the colony forming units of mutans streptococci, the average of quadruplicates was calculated so to obtain the growth value. Only the toothpaste group showed a decrease of the salivary levels of mutans streptococci although it was not statistically significant by Student t test (alpha = 0.05).

Palavras-chave : chlorhexidine; dental caries; mutans streptococci.