Effect of Chlorhexidine Gel in Mentally Handicapped Children highly Infected with Streptococcus Mutans

Frederico Silva De Freitas Fernandes,Rubenice Amaral Da Silva,Soraia De Fátima Carvalho Souza,Marcelo Vieira Jansen,Marilisa Carneiro Leão Gabardo,Juliana De Kássia Braga Fernandes

doi:10.4034/pboci.2015.151.06

Frederico Silva De Freitas Fernandes, Rubenice Amaral Da Silva + Show 4 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.4034/pboci.2015.151.06

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Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the effect of 1% chlorhexidine (CHX) gel on mentally handicapped children (n=11) highly infected with Streptococcus mutans (SM) and evaluate the re-colonization time of this bacterium after the treatment period.. Material and Methods: Before CHX treatment, saliva samples were collected to establish baseline saliva SM levels. CHX gel was daily applied for 5 min, for 7 consecutive days. Saliva samples were then collected after 7, 30, 60, 90 and 120 days to evaluate SM oral re-colonization. Data were analyzed by the Wilcoxon test (α=0.05). Results: When compared to baseline (5.7 / 3.0 x 105), the collection performed 7 days after CHX treatment (0.06 / 0.2 x 105) showed a significant reduction (P 0.05). Conclusion: Treatment with CHX gel for 7 days was effective in reducing the SM levels of mentally handicapped children and should be repeated after 60 days to control the risk of caries in these children.

Highlights

Streptococcus mutans (SM) are considered the most cariogenic microorganisms in dental biofilm due to their capacity to use dietary carbohydrates to synthesize extracellular polysaccharides and to their acidogenic and aciduric properties [1,2]
Treatment with CHX gel for 7 days was effective in reducing the SM levels of mentally handicapped children and should be repeated after 60 days to control the risk of caries in these children
Treatment with 1% CHX gel was effective in reducing SM levels of mentally handicapped children (Figure 1), with a statistically significant difference between the initial levels of this microorganism and the levels observed in all samples collected after the application period (P

Summary

Introduction

Streptococcus mutans (SM) are considered the most cariogenic microorganisms in dental biofilm due to their capacity to use dietary carbohydrates to synthesize extracellular polysaccharides and to their acidogenic and aciduric properties [1,2]. Salivary S. mutans levels have been used as an indicator of caries risk [3,4], being a form of controlling cariogenic activity through the reduction of the oral levels of these bacteria by mechanically removing the dental biofilm [5]. Among the antimicrobial agents available for dental use, chlorhexidine (CHX) is the most effective and most widely documented substance in controlling cariogenic activity [1,10]. This is because this chemotherapeutic agent is very efficient in reducing the oral levels of some microorganisms, in particular SM, as this bacterium has exceptional sensitivity to this antimicrobial agent [11]. The aims of this study were: (a) to evaluate the effect of 1% CHX gel in reducing the SM levels of mentally handicapped children; and (b) to evaluate the re-colonization time of the bacteria after CHX gel treatment

Material and Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion