Effect of different caries preventive measures in children highly infected with mutans streptococci

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Abstract
The caries preventive effect of topical application of fluoride varnish (Duraphat), ferric-aluminum-fluoride solution (FeA1F) and chlorhexidine gel was compared in a 2-yr clinical study. Children with more than 106 mutans streptococci per ml saliva were selected and a total of 189 13-yr-old children participated in the study. The children in the fluoride groups were treated every third month with either Durphat or FeA1F-solution. In the chlorhexidine group children with more than 2.5 .times. 105 mutans streptococci per ml of saliva were treated every third month. The mean number of new decayed and filled tooth surfaces was 3.06 in the chlorhexidine group, 5.88 in the Durphat group, 5.33 in the FeA1F group, and 6.34 in the control group. Thus supervised antimicrobial treatment can signficantly reduce the incidence of dental (caries) in children with high numbers of mutans streptococci.