An In Vivo Evaluation of Some Denti-frices in Reducing Salivary Level of Mutans Streptococci and Lactobacillus

Aims: This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of some oral dentifrices in the reduction of cariogenic organism levels. Materials and Methods: The volunteers were divided into7 groups; 6 of them labeled with the type of dentifrice they use, plus one negative control. Saliva samples were collected at the baseline, after 2 and 4 weeks of dentifrice application to estimate mutans streptococci and lactobacillus levels. Results: Mutans streptococci level significantly declined after 2 weeks of zac, synsodyne, crest and signal use. In Sanino and amber group the elevated bacterial level remained throughout experimental period. The lactobacillus number increased in all groups except in zac there was a continuous decrease throughout the study. Conclusions: Synsodyne and crest toothpastes were the most effective among the tested dentifrices used to adjunct mutans streptococci count but lactobacillus was less affected. Only zac rinses were able to control the levels of the two bacterial types.