Effectiveness of three mouth rinsing agents against mutans <i>Streptococcus</i> and <i>Lactobacillus</i> species - A comparative study

Background: Dental caries is one of the most common chronic childhood diseases and is a cause of continuous discomfort through impaired function and esthetics. To control dental caries, the removal of plaque is of utmost importance, and that further necessitates the use of chemotherapeutic agents. Several side effects associated with chlorhexidine have stimulated the search for an alternative chemotherapeutic agent. Aims: This study aims to compare the effectiveness of probiotic mouth rinse with kidodent mouth rinse, and placebo against mutans Streptococcus and Lactobacillus acidophilus (LA). Materials and Methods: The present study was a randomized parallel double-blinded clinical study which included 90 children of ages 6-15 years who were randomly allocated into three groups: Group 1 - placebo (n = 30), Group 2 - kidodent (n = 30), and Group 3 - probiotic (n = 30). Stimulated salivary samples were collected from all the children after rinsing with distilled water (first reading), and after rinsing with respective mouthwash (placebo/kidodent/probiotic mouth rinse) of their groups during the first visit (second readings). Samples were collected again after using mouth rinse for 14 days (third readings) and used for detection of pH, and levels of Streptococcus mutans (SM) and LA counts. Data were subjected to statistical analysis. Results: Statistically significant difference was seen between placebo versus kidodent, placebo versus probiotic but there was no statistically significant difference between kidodent versus probiotic after the immediate rinse and post 15 days of rinse. Conclusion: Kidodent and probiotic mouth rinse are more efficacious and have equivalent efficacy in reducing SM and LA.