Salivary Bacterial Counts Research Articles

Preoperative and Postoperative Salivary Bacterial Counts in Infants Undergoing Cardiac Surgery: A Prospective Observational Study.

Postoperative pneumonia may develop in infants after cardiac surgery; however, only a few reports are available on perioperative oral bacteria in infants. This study aimed to examine preoperative and postoperative salivary bacterial counts in infants undergoing cardiac surgery. The number of bacteria in the saliva of 105 infants (average age: 20 months) who underwent surgery for congenital heart disease was determined by culturing before and after surgery. Factors associated with changes in the bacterial count were further examined. Patients received systemic antimicrobials for an average of four days immediately before surgery. Postoperative salivary bacterial counts were higher in older patients, who had erupting teeth and had longer surgical times. The average number of colonies before surgery was 104.53 CFU/mL; on the day after surgery, this number significantly decreased to 103.68 CFU/mL. The rate of reduction was especially high in infants without tooth eruption. The total number of bacterial colonies in saliva decreased after surgery, most likely because of the use of systemically administered antibiotics, and the rate of decrease was particularly high in infants without tooth eruptions. This study examined the preoperative and postoperative salivary bacterial counts in infants undergoing cardiac surgery. In the future, we would like to further examine bacterial flora and the effects of perioperative oral care. This study provides insights into the development of new strategies for preventing and treating surgical site infections and pneumonia in children.

New Insights Regarding the Use of Relevant Synthetic Compounds in Dentistry.

Worldwide, synthetic compounds are used for both in-office and at-home dental care. They are a valuable resource for both prophylactic and curative treatments for various dental problems, such as tooth decay, periodontal diseases, and many more. They are typically preferred due to their broad range of actions and ability to produce targeted, rapid, and long-lasting effects. Using a 0.12% chlorhexidine mouthwash is capable of reducing the plaque index from 47.69% to 2.37% and the bleeding index from 32.93% to 6.28% after just 2 weeks. Mouthwash with 0.1% OCT is also highly effective, as it significantly lowered the median plaque index and salivary bacterial counts in 152 patients in 5 days compared to a control group (p < 0.0001), while also reducing the gingival index (p < 0.001). When povidone-iodine was used as an irrigant during the surgical removal of mandibular third molars in 105 patients, it resulted in notably lower pain scores after 2 days compared to a control group (4.57 ± 0.60 vs. 5.71 ± 0.45). Sodium hypochlorite is excellent for root canal disinfection, as irrigating with 1% NaOCl completely eliminated the bacteria from canals in 65% patients. A 0.05% CPC mouthwash proved effective for perioperative patient care, significantly decreasing gingival bleeding (p < 0.001) and suppressing Streptococcus levels even one week post-surgery. Lastly, a 6% H2O2 paint-on varnish and 6% H2O2 tray formulations successfully bleached the teeth of 40 patients, maintaining a noticeably whiter appearance up to the 6-month follow-up, with significant color differences from the baseline (p < 0.005). Synthetic compounds have a large research base, which also provides a greater awareness of their mechanism of action and potential adverse effects. For a better understanding of how they work, several methods and assays are performed. These are protocolary techniques through which a compound's efficacy and toxicity are established.

Antibacterial Efficacy of Hiora: An Ayurvedic Mouthwash in Children.

Mouthwashes, as a form of antimicrobial delivery system, rank among the safest and most effective vehicles, particularly in the case of young children. This is attributed to their ability to distribute therapeutic components across all accessible oral surfaces, including interproximal areas. To evaluate the antibacterial efficacy of recently introduced Ayurvedic (Hiora) and triclosan-based mouthwashes among children. A total of 45 healthy children aged 10-15 years were randomly assigned to three groups: Herbal mouthwash (Hiora), triclosan-based mouthwash (Kidodent), and normal saline as the control group. Saliva samples were collected pre-rinse, 2 minutes, 30 minutes, and 60 minutes post-rinsing with the study mouthwashes. These samples were then inoculated onto Petri dishes containing blood agar culture media, followed by incubation under both aerobic and anaerobic conditions at 37°C for 48 hours. The resulting bacterial colonies of Streptococcus spp. and Lactobacillus spp. were counted (CFU/ml x 105). Statistical analysis, including ANOVA, Newman Keul's Post-hoc test, and a two-tailed 't' test, was conducted to determine the significance of the results. The Ayurvedic Hiora mouthwash demonstrated the most substantial reduction in salivary bacterial colony counts of Streptococcus spp. and Lactobacillus spp. with statistically significant results (p<0.01). The Ayurvedic Hiora mouthwash exhibited the highest antibacterial effectiveness, followed by the triclosan-based mouthwash in decreasing order, with saline showing the least efficacy.

Oral care methods to reduce salivary bacteria in infants undergoing cardiac surgery: A randomized controlled trial

Background/purposeComplications, such as postoperative pneumonia, can occur after pediatric cardiac surgery; however, studies on related changes in perioperative oral bacterial counts are scarce. Herein, we investigated the changes in oral bacterial counts before and after surgery in infants who underwent cardiac surgery, as well as after oral care using an antiseptic mouthwash. Materials and methodsA total of 102 infants who underwent congenital heart disease surgery were enrolled in this study. Preoperative oral care was provided using water and a sponge brush. Bacterial cultures were used to determine salivary bacterial counts before and after oral care. Postoperatively, the infants were randomized into a water group (WA group), benzethonium chloride mouthwash group (BZ group), or povidone-iodine mouthwash group (PV–I group), and their salivary bacterial counts, before and after oral care, were measured. ResultsThe preoperative salivary bacterial colony counts did not change after oral care; however, the postoperative bacterial counts were significantly lower, possibly because of the use of systemic antibiotics. Bacterial counts before and after oral care were not significantly different between the WA and BZ groups; however, bacterial counts were significantly decreased in the PV-I group after oral care. ConclusionOverall, the results of this study show that systemic administration of antibiotics reduces postoperative salivary bacterial counts in infants undergoing cardiac surgery, and oral care with PV-I can further reduce bacterial counts.

Salivary microbial shifting in hypertensive patients with chronic periodontitis after scaling and root surface debridement.

This study aimed to evaluate the impact of scaling and root surface debridement (SRP) on salivary bacterial counts and systolic and diastolic blood pressure in hypertensive patients with chronic periodontitis, with a focus on clinical significance. An observational trial included 24 chronic periodontitis patients, eleven of them were hypertensive patients. Non-surgical periodontal treatment was administered to all patients, with clinical parameters including gingival index (GI), plaque index (PI), and probing pocket depth (PPD) recorded. Saliva samples were collected before and after SRP to quantify total bacterial counts and specific bacterial counts. Two months following SRP, PI and PPD in every subject under study demonstrated good responses. In hypertension patients, the salivary bacterial count was significantly higher following SRP (P = 0.0221). The incidence of Porphyromonas gingivalis in hypertension patients significantly decreased after treatment (P = 0.0386). Despite this, there was no discernible decrease in blood pressure following treatment. SRP alone was ineffective in reducing overall bacterial counts, but P. gingivalis levels responded favorably. Regular periodontal assessment is crucial for hypertensive individuals to mitigate cardiovascular risk. Periodontal therapy in hypertensive patients may improve oral health but might not significantly impact blood pressure. Regular periodontal evaluation is essential for managing cardiovascular risk in hypertension.

Effect of Chewing Gum Containing Glycyrrhiza glabra, Honey, and Vitamin E on Oral Health

IntroductionDental caries and periodontal diseases are the most prevalent human diseases. Honey, Glycyrrhiza glabra, and vitamin E have antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties. This study aimed to formulate and evaluate chewing gum containing G glabra, honey, and vitamin E as an antioxidants on oral and gingival health. MethodsA total of 155 dental students were selected and divided into five groups. A chewing gum (containing G glabra, honey, and vitamin E) and a placebo were prepared separately. Two questionnaires were filled out for each student before and after the intervention. Bleeding on probing, plaque index, gingival index, Decay Missing Filling Teeth (DMFT) index, and salivary bacteria counts were recorded before and after the intervention. All statistical analyses were performed using Stata 14 software. ResultsGingival index, bleeding on probing, and plaque index decreased in all the groups after intervention. The highest reduction was related to gingival inflammation in the case group. There was a decrease in salivary bacterial counts in all the groups after the intervention. The highest reduction was seen in the case group. ConclusionsThe chewing gum containing G glabra, honey, and vitamin E enhanced oral health. Gingival index, bleeding on probing, plaque index, and salivary bacterial counts decreased in all the groups after the intervention, especially in the case group.

Effect of oral function and postoperative eating patterns on salivary bacterial counts in gastrointestinal tract surgery patients: A preliminary study

Background/purposePerioperative oral care is widely provided to prevent postoperative pneumonia and surgical site infections in patients undergoing surgery under general anesthesia. However, there is a lack of clarity regarding the kind of oral care that should be provided for different patients. The purpose of this study was to clarify the factors that influence the increase in salivary bacterial counts before and after gastrointestinal surgery to identify patients with a particular need for oral care. Materials and methodsTwenty patients undergoing gastrointestinal surgery were examined before surgery for denture use, number of remaining teeth, regular dental care, Oral Hygiene Index-Simplfied tongue coating, tongue pressure, bite pressure, masticatory efficiency, and dry mouth. Saliva samples were collected before surgery, in the fasting period after surgery, and in the oral feeding period. Total bacterial counts were determined by real-time PCR, and factors associated with bacterial counts were investigated. ResultsPatients with decreased oral functions, such as tongue pressure, bite pressure, and masticatory efficiency, tended to have higher salivary bacterial counts in the preoperative, fasting, and oral feeding periods. Regarding the pre- and postoperative changes, salivary bacterial counts increased in the fasting period compared to the pre-operative period and returned to preoperative values in the oral feeding period. ConclusionPerioperative oral care is important for patients with reduced oral function because the number of bacteria in saliva tends to be higher in such patients. As the number of bacteria in saliva increases during the fasting period, oral care is important, and oral feeding should be restarted as soon as possible.

Factors affecting the number of bacteria in saliva and oral care methods for the recovery of bacteria in contaminated saliva after brushing: a randomized controlled trial

BackgroundOral care is important in preventing aspiration pneumonia in older adults. However, it is not clear what kind of oral care can reduce the number of bacteria in saliva. The purposes of this study are to clarify whether there is a relationship between plaque amounts and salivary bacterial counts, and how bacteria dispersed into the oral cavity by brushing can be reduced.MethodsFirst, saliva samples were collected from 10 healthy adult volunteers after 30 h of unbrushing and after thorough brushing, and the total bacterial count was determined by real-time PCR. Next, 40 older adults attending an outpatient dental clinic were randomly assigned into two groups: a wiping group (20 patients) and a mouthwashing group (20 patients). Saliva was collected before and after brushing, and after wiping in the wiping group and after mouthwashing in the mouthwashing group, and the total bacterial count was quantified by real-time PCR.ResultsIn a study of volunteers, there was no association between plaque amounts and salivary bacterial counts. In a study of older adult patients, salivary bacterial counts were significantly higher in patients with higher oral hygiene index and fewer remaining teeth. Brushing increased salivary bacterial counts. Wiping did not significantly reduce the number of bacteria, while mouthwash returned the increased number of bacteria after brushing to the pre-brushing level.ConclusionsThere is no direct relationship between the amount of plaque and the number of bacteria in saliva. Brushing disperses bacteria into the oral cavity, resulting in a marked increase in the number of bacteria in saliva. Wiping does not collect the dispersed bacteria, and it seems essential to rinse the mouth after brushing.Trial registrationUMIN000045854.

The antibacterial effect of nanosilver fluoride in relation to caries activity in primary teeth: a protocol for a randomized controlled clinical trial

BackgroundMinimally invasive dentistry is a highly convenient and efficient method of managing caries in pediatric patients. Silver diamine fluoride (SDF) is commonly used to arrest active caries lesions. However, the associated black stain, possibility of soft tissue injury, and unpleasant taste often limit its use. Recently, nanosilver fluoride (NSF) emerged as a promising topical fluoride agent with potent cariostatic and antibacterial potentials. This novel anticaries agent has gained attention as an alternative to overcome the drawbacks of SDF in caries arrest.ObjectivesTo assess the antibacterial effect of NSF in relation to caries activity in dentin caries lesions, as well as to investigate the change in saliva bacterial levels in primary teeth in comparison to SDF after 1 and 3 months.Materials and methodsFifty children aged 4 to 6 years old with active dentin caries lesions (score 5 according to International Detection and Assessment System (ICDAS II) criteria) will be enrolled in the study. They will be equally and randomly allocated into 2 groups: a group receiving NSF and a control group receiving SDF treatment. Microbiological samples will be collected from the carious lesions and from unstimulated saliva at the baseline and at the 1 and 3 months’ follow-up appointments. Bacterial counts will be assessed using Mitis Salivarius agar (selective culture media for S. mutans) and Rogosa agar (selective culture media for lactobacilli), and the results will be expressed in colony-forming units. Data regarding the children’s oral health will be collected and their dmf index will be scored. The arrest of active carious lesions will be measured at the follow-up appointments according to ICDAS II criteria.ResultsThe relation between bacterial colony counts and lesion activity for both groups will be assessed, as well as the change in salivary bacterial counts. The collected data will be statistically evaluated and tabulated. This clinical trial has been registered on ClinicalTrials.gov in January 2022 (original version) with ID: NCT05221749.

Number of Bacteria in Saliva in the Perioperative Period and Factors Associated with Increased Numbers.

Perioperative oral management is performed to prevent postoperative complications, but its indication and management method are unclear. This study aimed to investigate salivary bacterial counts pre-and postoperatively, and factors related to increased bacterial count postoperatively. We included 121 patients who underwent surgery under general anesthesia and perioperative oral management. The bacterial count in saliva was determined preoperatively, and first and seventh days postoperatively using the dielectrophoresis and impedance measurement methods. The relationships between salivary bacterial count and various variables were analyzed using one-way analysis of variance, Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient, and multiple regression analysis. The salivary bacterial count increased significantly on the first day postoperatively but decreased on the seventh day. Multivariate analysis showed that age (p = 0.004, standardized coefficient β = 0.283) and xerostomia (p = 0.034, standardized coefficient β = 0.192) were significantly correlated with increased salivary bacterial count preoperatively. Salivary bacterial count on the day after surgery was significantly increased in patients with a large number of bacterial counts on the day before surgery after preoperative oral care (p = 0.007, standardized coefficient β = 0.241) and postoperative fasting (p = 0.001, standardized coefficient β = −0.329). Establishing good oral hygiene before surgery and decreasing salivary bacterial count are necessary in patients with a high risk of postoperative surgical site infection or pneumonia, especially in older adults or postoperative fasting.

Ozone Therapy for Early Childhood Caries (ECC) Treatment: An In Vivo Prospective Study

The present study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of ozone therapy in (1) increasing the compactness of decayed dentin (main aim), (2) reducing dentin hypersensitivity, (3) decreasing the salivary bacterial count, and (4) improving the quality of life in ECC-affected children during a 3-month follow-up. A total of 20 subjects uncooperative with conventional restorative treatment were treated with a 60 s ozone application/week (OzoneDTA®) for 4 weeks. Patients were evaluated at T0 = baseline; T1 = after ozone cycle and T2, T3, T4 = 1, 2, 3-month follow-up, respectively. Dentin compactness was evaluated according to the Affected Dentine Scale (ADS) proposed by the authors; dentin hypersensitivity was recorded with the Wong–Baker Faces Pain Rating Scale (WBFPRS); salivary bacteria were measured with the Saliva Check Mutans Test and quality of life with the Early Childhood Oral Health Impact Scale (ECOHIS). ADS values and salivary bacteria count results were analyzed using non-parametric tests. Statistically significant differences were detected for both parameters between T0 and T1 (p &lt; 0.01). At T1, dentin hypersensitivity was resolved and quality of life improved. Ozone therapy is a simple and painless approach, which might be useful for controlling caries’ progression in uncooperative children until appropriate cooperation is achieved.

Protease inhibitor concentrations in the saliva of individuals experiencing oral dryness

BackgroundOral dryness is a common symptom that may interfere with swallowing, chewing, and taste. The most common reason for oral dryness is hyposalivation. Some individuals experiencing oral dryness do not have hyposalivation, however, and the reverse is also true. Here, we focused on healthy individuals with a lower salivary flow rate and evaluated the relationship between the perception of oral dryness and salivary parameters to clarify the cause underlying the perception of oral dryness.MethodsA total of 59 participants were divided into 2 groups with a lower or higher salivary flow rate according to the median salivary flow rate. In participants with a lower salivary flow rate, we assessed salivary bacterial counts, protease activities, protein concentrations, oral parameters, and the subjective perception of oral dryness.ResultsProtease activities and concentrations of protease inhibitors such as cystatin-D and cystatin-SA in the saliva of participants experiencing oral dryness were significantly higher and lower, respectively, than in those not experiencing oral dryness, even though no difference in the salivary flow rate was detected. Salivary cystatin-D and cystatin-SA concentrations correlated negatively with salivary protease activities.ConclusionsThe composition of salivary protease inhibitors and increased protease activities affect the subjective perception of oral dryness.

Aloe vera mouthwashes can be a natural alternative to chemically formulated ones – A randomized-controlled trial

ObjectivesTo evaluate the antiplaque and antibacterial efficacy of commercially available mouthwashes containing aloe vera (AV), hydrogen peroxide (HP), and cetylpyridinium chloride (CPC) in a 4-day plaque regrowth study. MethodsPlaque score and salivary samples were assessed (Day-0 and Day-4) in 96 participants in a randomised, double-blind prospective parallel-arm 4-day plaque regrowth study. Participants were divided into five groups who refrained from engaging in regular oral hygiene measures during the study period and used commercially available mouthwashes containing AV, HP, and CPC as test products with distilled water (DW) and chlorhexidine (CHX) mouthwash as negative and positive controls, respectively. Salivary bacterial count was expressed as colony-forming units (CFU) (culture method). ResultsThere was a significant difference both in plaque score (p < 0.001) and in CFU (p < 0.001) among the study mouthwashes at Day-4. The plaque score and CFU of AV were significantly higher and lower than those of CHX and DW, respectively. The plaque score of HP was significantly higher than that of AV (p = 0.016) and CPC (p < 0.001). No significant difference was observed between AV and CPC (p = 0.70). Moreover, the CFU of HP was significantly higher than that of CPC (p = 0.04). There was no statistically significant difference between the CFU of mouthwashes containing AV and HP (p = 0.912) or AV and CPC (p = 0.280). No significant difference was seen in the inhibition of plaque and salivary bacterial count between AV, HP, and CPC. ConclusionThe antiplaque and antibacterial efficacy of commercially available AV mouthwash was similar to that of CPC and significantly better than that of HP mouthwash and can be a natural alternative to chemically formulated mouthwashes.

Assessment of Salivary Bacterial Level and Dental Caries Experience in a Group of Egyptian Children with Black Stained Teeth: (A Cross Sectional Study)

Aim: The purpose of this study was to assess the salivary bacterial level and dental caries experience in children with black stained teeth. Methods: The sample comprised 73 children aged 4-6 years with black stains where the caries experience was evaluated using dmft index. Also, the salivary sample was taken into a sterile container and taken to the laboratory within 1 hour for processing. In the laboratory saliva dilution was done and sample was placed into a plate which contains Brain heart infusion agar. From the plate, identification of the morphology of Actinomyces was done. The colony of Actinomyces on the plate was counted with colony counter using colony forming unit. With the same salivary sample the pH was measured using the pH meter. Results: Among the children with BS, the mean dmft was (2.3), most children had very low dmft score (42.5%). So this showed lower caries experience in children with black stains. Regarding the Actinomyces count the results showed higher number of Actinomyces in children with BS. However it was statistically insignificant. pH of the studied children was mainly in the alkaline range with a mean (9.07) with prevalence (75.2%). Conclusion: The results of this study indicate that Egyptian children with black stains have lower caries experience. The salivary bacterial count of Actinomyces was high in the same children and that the higher the Actinomyces number the less the dmft score. The children with BS also showed pH mainly in the alkaline range.

Elevated serum TREM-1 is associated with periodontitis and disease activity in rheumatoid arthritis

The triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells 1 (TREM-1) and peptidoglycan recognition protein 1 (PGLYRP1) are involved in the propagation of inflammatory responses. This study investigated whether serum levels of TREM-1 and PGLYRP1 correlate with periodontitis in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients. A total of 154 non-smoking participants with RA (n = 55, F/M: 41/14), Behçet´s disease (BD, n = 41, F/M: 30/11) and healthy controls (HC, n = 58, F/M: 40/18) were recruited. Serum and saliva were collected, the 28-joint disease activity score (DAS-28) was calculated and dental/periodontal measurements were recorded. Serum TREM-1 and PGLYRP1 levels were measured by ELISA and salivary bacterial DNA counts by quantitative polymerase chain reaction. TREM-1 and PGLYRP1 levels were higher in RA (166.3 ± 94.3; 155.5 ± 226.9 pg/ml) than BD (102.3 ± 42.8; 52.5 ± 26.3 pg/ml) and HCs (89.8 ± 55.7; 67.4 ± 37.3 pg/ml) (p < 0.05). In RA, periodontitis was associated with increased TREM-1 and PGLYRP1 levels (p < 0.05), yet in patients under methotrexate TREM-1 levels were lower. TREM-1 correlated with C-reactive protein (CRP) levels, DAS-28 and erythrocyte sedimentation rate, whereas PGLYRP1 positively correlated with CRP. RA patients displayed 3.5-fold higher salivary bacterial DNA counts than HCs. Increased serum TREM-1 levels correlated with PGLYRP1, CRP and DAS-28-ESR in RA patients with periodontitis.

Impact of 0.1% octenidine mouthwash on plaque re-growth in healthy adults: a multi-center phase 3 randomized clinical trial

ObjectivesTo investigate plaque inhibition of 0.1% octenidine mouthwash (OCT) vs. placebo over 5 days in the absence of mechanical plaque control.Materials and methodsFor this randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind, parallel group, multi-center phase 3 study, 201 healthy adults were recruited. After baseline recording of plaque index (PI) and gingival index (GI), collection of salivary samples, and dental prophylaxis, subjects were randomly assigned to OCT or placebo mouthwash in a 3:1 ratio. Rinsing was performed twice daily for 30 s. Colony forming units in saliva were determined before and after the first rinse. At day 5, PI, GI, and tooth discoloration index (DI) were assessed. Non-parametric van Elteren tests were applied with a significance level of p < 0.05.ResultsTreatment with OCT inhibited plaque formation more than treatment with placebo (PI: 0.36 vs. 1.29; p < 0.0001). OCT reduced GI (0.04 vs. placebo 0.00; p = 0.003) and salivary bacterial counts (2.73 vs. placebo 0.24 lgCFU/ml; p < 0.0001). Tooth discoloration was slightly higher under OCT (DI: 0.25 vs. placebo 0.00; p = 0.0011). Mild tongue staining and dysgeusia occurred.ConclusionsOCT 0.1% mouthwash inhibits plaque formation over 5 days. It therefore can be recommended when regular oral hygiene is temporarily compromised.Clinical relevanceWhen individual plaque control is compromised, rinsing with octenidine mouthwash is recommended to maintain healthy oral conditions while side effects are limited.

GROWTH INHIBITORY EFFECT OF CHLORHEXIDINE AND HEXETIDINE CONTAINING-MOUTHWASHES AGAINST ORAL BACTERIAL ISOLATES

Background&#x0D; Frequent use of mouthwash (MW) is one of the most effective methods used to prevent oral bacterial infections and to assist individuals in their efforts to achieve and maintain better oral health. Using a MW containing antibacterial agents would be a simple way to prevent growth and multiplication of pathogenic organisms in oral cavity causing dental caries and other mouth diseases. Chlorhexidine (CHX) and Hexetidine (HX) have been proposed as potent biocides against oral bacteria.&#x0D; Objective&#x0D; The present study was performed to investigate oral bacteria growth inhibition when using any of four mouthwashes that are commercially available in the Libyan market and contain either CHX, (Zordy land Oraxin), or HX, (Hextril and Givalex), and to clarify whether CHX and HX were suitable and safe biocides that can be included in mouthwash products.&#x0D; Materials and Methods&#x0D; Sixty adult (45 females and 15 males) volunteers had been chosen and divided into four groups and their saliva samples were assessed for microbial count at the beginning and the end of two weeks of treatment, during which they rinsed with 15ml of mouthwashes for 30 seconds twice a day (morning and evening) in addition to their usual oral hygiene procedures. The antibacterial activity of mouthwashes was assayed by cell viable count technique and cell diffusibility measurement.&#x0D; Results&#x0D; The results showed wide variations in the effectiveness of mouthwashes; those containing CHX were more effective (P ≤0.05) than formulations containing HX on oral microbial count. The main findings of the present study were that Zordyl, Oraxinand Hextril exerted high effects on the salivary microbiota, causing 90%, 60% and 34% reduction in salivary bacterial counts respectively. 25% reduction was observed for Givalex. On the other hand, the zone of inhibition test showed that Zordyl and Oraxin had large zone inhibitory effects, while Hextril and Givalex, were less effective on some bacterial species.&#x0D; Conclusion&#x0D; It can be concluded that twice daily use of CHX mouthwash (CHX-MW) or HX mouthwash (HX-MW) reduces oral bacterial load counts in healthy subjects when used as an adjunct to their normal oral hygiene procedures. This also suggests that inhibitory power of mouth washes containing CHX is greater on oral bacteria than mouthwashes containing HX.

The effect of oil pulling with coconut oil to improve dental hygiene and oral health: A systematic review

ObjectivesCoconut oil is a cheap and accessible oil for many people around the world. There are numerous advocates for the practice of oil pulling to prevent common oral diseases. Therefore determining the effectiveness of oil pulling with coconut oil could potentially have monumental benefits. This review aimed to assess the effect of oil pulling with coconut oil in improving oral health and dental hygiene. DataWe included randomized controlled trials comparing the effect of oil pulling with coconut oil on improving oral health and dental hygiene.No meta-analysis was performed due to the clinical heterogeneity and differences in the reporting of data among the included studies. SourcesSix electronic databases were screened: PubMed, Medline, EMBASE, AMED, CENTRAL and CINAHL. Study selectionElectronic searches yielded 42 eligible studies, of which four RCTs including 182 participants were included. The studies lasted between 7 and 14 days. Significant differences were demonstrated for a reduction in salivary bacterial colony count (p = 0.03) and plaque index score (p=<0.001). One study also demonstrated a significant difference in staining compared to using Chlorhexidine (p = 0.0002). However, data was insufficient for conclusive findings, the quality of studies was mixed and risk of bias was high. ConclusionThe limited evidence suggests that oil pulling with coconut oil may have a beneficial effect on improving oral health and dental hygiene. Future clinical trials are of merit considering the universal availability of the intervention. Prospective research should have a robust design with rigorous execution to provide a higher quality of evidence. Clinical significanceOil pulling with coconut oil could be used as a adjunct to normal preventative regimes to improve oral health and dental hygiene although further studies are needed to determine the level of effectiveness.

Differences in antimicrobial activity of 0.2% Chlorhexidine mouthwash and a Herbal mouth rinse formulation—A salivary bacterial counts study

Background: Chlorhexidine gluconate (CHX) mouthwash has earned eponym of gold standard to treat or prevent periodontal disease. However, it has been reported to have local side-effects on long-term use. To explore a herbal alternative, the present study was carried out to evaluate the clinical antimicrobial activity of two mouth rinses. One containing 0.2% CHX and other containing herbal mouth rinse (HM). Methods: This randomized, crossover salivary bacterial counts, was carried out on a sample of 10 healthy volunteers rinsed for 1 minute with 0.2% CHX and for 1 minute with HM. Saliva samples were obtained before rinsing, and after 5 min, and 1, 3, 5 and 7 h. These samples were cultured both aerobically and anaerobically. Percentages of survival, in regard to baseline, were calculated for each time point. Results: Results were available both for aerobic and anaerobic salivary bacteria. Statistically significant difference is observed between Herbal and 0.2% CHX mouth wash at 1 hr (P Conclusion: Based on the results, this clinical study demonstrated that significant reduction of microbial activity was observed in 0.2% CHX when compared with HM containing bibhitaka, nagavali and salvodora persica as main ingredients.

Relationship between oral environment and frailty among older adults dwelling in a rural Japanese community: a cross-sectional observational study

BackgroundOral functions are known to decline with aging. However, there is limited evidence that supports the relationship between oral health and frailty. This study aimed to clarify the relationship between oral hygiene conditions, measured by remaining teeth and mucosa, and frailty among elderly people dwelling in a Japanese rural community.MethodsWe surveyed self-reliant elderly individuals aged ≥65 years who were dwelling in the Sasayama-Tamba area of Hyogo, Japan. Frailty was evaluated according to the total score of the Kihon Checklist (KCL). Based on the KCL score, elderly participants were divided into three groups: robust, pre-frail, and frail. The items measured to evaluate oral environment included the number of remaining teeth, denture usage condition, oral hygiene status, dry mouth condition, and salivary bacterial count. For statistical analysis, Fisher’s exact test, one-way analysis of variance, and multiple comparison technique were used.ResultsOf 308 elderly participants, 203 (65.9%), 85 (27.6%), and 20 (6.5%) belonged to the robust, pre-frail, and frail groups, respectively. The proportion of participants who were judged to have poor hygiene was significantly higher in the frail group than in the other two groups. The bacterial count was significantly smaller in the frail group than in the robust group, and the frail group had fewer number of remaining teeth than the other two groups, suggesting that the number of remaining teeth may be associated with bacterial count.ConclusionIn elderly adults, physical frailty may affect the oral hygiene status and condition of the remaining teeth.