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CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 · Eur J Dent 2015; 09(04): 462-469
DOI: 10.4103/1305-7456.172616
Original Article
Dental Investigation Society

Evaluation of the effect of three supplementary oral hygiene measures on salivary mutans streptococci levels in children: A randomized comparative clinical trial

M. Manju
1   Department of Pedodontics and Preventive Dentistry, Dr. Syamala Reddy Dental College Hospital and Research Center, Munnekolala, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India
,
P. Prathyusha
2   Department of Pedodontics and Preventive Dentistry, C.K.S Teja Institute of Dental Sciences, Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh, India
,
Elizabeth Joseph
3   Department of Pedodontics and Preventive Dentistry, Pushpagiri College of Dental Sciences, Thiruvalla, Kerala, India
,
Rupali Borkar Kaul
4   Department of Pedodontics and Preventive Dentistry, Darshan Dental College and Hospital, Udaipur, Rajasthan, India
,
Srinivas L. Shanthraj
5   Department of Pedodontics and Preventive Dentistry, Coorg Institute of Dental Sciences, Virajpet, Karnataka, India
,
Ntasha Sethi
6   Consultant Pediatric Dentist, Total Dental Care, Najafgarh, New Delhi, India
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

Publication Date:
23 September 2019 (online)

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ABSTRACT

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate and compare the effect of tongue scraping, tongue brushing, and saturated saline on salivary MS levels. Materials and Methods: A single-blinded, randomized, parallel group clinical trial was conducted in children aged 9–12 years. Total sample of 45 subjects were randomly assigned to three groups, that is, Group A, Group B, and Group C comprised of 15 each. Group A, Group B, and Group C were asked to do tongue scraping, tongue brushing and saturated saline rinsing twice daily, respectively for 21 days. Saliva samples, collected from the subjects on the baseline, 7th day and 21st day, were inoculated on mitis salivarius bacitracin agar and incubated at 37°C for 48 h. The mean streptococcal colony forming counts were enumerated. The data were subjected to statistical analysis using Wilcoxon signed rank sum test for intragroup comparisons and Mann–Whitney U-test for intergroup comparisons. Results: Intragroup comparisons showed statistically significant reduction in MS levels (P < 0.01). However, the intergroup comparisons showed no statistically significant difference (P > 0.05). Conclusion: The oral hygiene measures evaluated proved equal efficacy in reducing the colony counts. Hence, there is a need to emphasize the importance of incorporating supplementary oral hygiene measures in daily oral care.

Key words:

Dental caries - mutans streptococci - oral hygiene - saliva
 

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