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Some effects of chlorhexidine acetate on the adherence of oral bacteria to dental enamel in vitro
Author(s) -
Tustian D. G.,
Ellen R. P.
Publication year - 1977
Publication title -
journal of periodontal research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.31
H-Index - 83
eISSN - 1600-0765
pISSN - 0022-3484
DOI - 10.1111/j.1600-0765.1977.tb01523.x
Subject(s) - chlorhexidine , enamel paint , saliva , microbiology and biotechnology , chemistry , bacteria , dentistry , in vitro , adsorption , streptococcus mutans , dental plaque , incubation , medicine , biology , biochemistry , organic chemistry , genetics
The effects of chlorhexidine acetate on the ability of some oral Streptococcus and Actinomyces strains to attach to bovine enamel were evaluated in an in vitro system. The numbers of bacteria adhering per unit area to enamel blocks immersed in bacterial suspensions were enumerated using an incident light microscope. Pre‐incubation of the enamel in whole saliva to form an in vitro pellicle enhanced the adsorption of some strains and reduced the adsorption of others. Pretreatment of uncoated enamel with mouthwash concentrations of chlorhexidine significantly impaired the adsorption of two of the four test strains and enhanced the adsorption of one of the strains. Chlorhexidine pretreatment of saliva‐coated enamel enhanced the adherence of all bacterial strains tested. These changes in bacterial adsorption may reflect chlorhexidine‐mediated alterations in the properties of pellicle‐covered enamel. Pretreatment of the bacterial cells with subinhibitory doses of chlorhexidine acetate or sodium acetate did not significantly reduce the ability of the bacteria to attach to the saliva‐coated enamel surface. Together, the data suggest that the reduction in plaque accumulation associated with chlorhexidine mouthrinsing may be independent of a direct inhibition of initial bacterial adsorption to pellicle.