Activity of a mouthrinse containing chlorhexidine at 0.12% against the saccharolitic microbiota of saliva

Abstract

This work evaluated the action of a mouthrinse containing chlorhexidine gluconate at 0,12% against the growth and plaque producing in vitro of the mutans group streptococci and of other saliva microorganisms. The sample was composed of a saliva pool divided into two parts forming two groups. In group 1, 0,1ml of pure saliva was added to tubes containing thioglycolate broth with 5% of sucrose and a glass rod. In group 2, 0,1ml of saliva previously mixed with a mouthrinse containing chlorhexidine gluconate at 0,12% for one minute was added to the same culture means. After incubating at 37º C, the appearance of the culture means and the presence of plaque in the glass rod were observed, followed by Gram coloration and isolation of the mutans group streptococci. In one hundred per cent of the group one tubes, plaque production in vitro, turbidity and sedimentation were observed. Streptococci, Gram positive bacilli, Gram negative bacilli with some spindle-shaped bacilli and yeast were observed through Gram. Mutans group streptococci were also detected in the culture. In group 2, there was no plaque production in vitro in the majority of the tubes (75%), little or no turbidity and sedimentation, and mutans group streptococci were not isolated. In group 2, where there was little bacterial growth and plaque in vitro (25%), streptococci sp. were isolated. The results confirmed the effectiveness of the chlorhexidine at 0,12% incorporated to mouthrinses in the reduction of the saliva microbiota, growth inhibition of mutans group streptococci, yeasts and formation of the dental biofilm.