Effects of Chlorhexidine and Monofluorophosphate Combinations on the Reduction of Dental Caries and Plaque Accumulation in Rats

Abstract

The effects of chlorhexidine-digluconate (CHX), sodium-monofluorophosphate (MFP) and their combinations on the reduction of dental caries and plaque accumulation in rats were determined to examine the additive cariostatic property of each reagent.One tenth ml of MFP was daily dropped using a syringe on the molar teeth of Wister ratsfed the high-sucrose “diet 2000” during a 35-day experimental period. CHX was added to the drinking water.In the combination group (MFP, 0.02% F and CHX 0.001%) dental caries was reduced by 50% and the cariostatic level was higher than in the MFP group (0.02% F; 27.2 reduction%) or the CHX group (0.001%; 39.2 reduction%). The cariostatic level, however, was the same as in the MFP group (0.1 % F; 46.7 reduction%) and the CHX group (0.005%; 49.8 reduction%). In other combination groups such as MFP (0.1% F) plus CHX (0.005 %), MFP (0.1% F) plus CHX (0.001%) and MFP (0.02% F) plus CHX (0.05%) the cariostatic levels were also enhanced and dental caries reduction was 60.7, 51.6 and 56.3%, respectively. The reduction of dental plaque was not affected by a combination of MFP and CHX, but was the same as the level achieved using CHX only.These results suggest that the cariostatic properties of MFP and CHX were partially additive and a combination of them seems more effective in reducing dental caries than the single administration of either reagent.