Recolonization of Human Tooth Surfaces by Streptococcus mutans after Suppression by Chlorhexidine Treatment

Abstract

In eight subjects who were initially highly colonized with Streptococcus mutans and who used a 1% chlorhexidine gel, the numbers of this organism were suppressed in both plaque and saliva. Bacterial plaque samples were obtained from all tooth surfaces, and the recolonization pattern of S. mutans was studied over a 26-week period. At baseline, 83% of all surfaces harbored S. mutans with buccal surfaces colonized in higher frequency than the others. After chlorhexidine treatment, the proportion of tooth surfaces colonized by S. mutans was reduced to a low level. Re-appearance was slow. S. mutans was first recovered from the most posterior teeth in the mouth, the molar surfaces were recolonized earlier than were those of pre-molars and anterior teeth, and the buccal surfaces were recolonized more readily than were the other tooth surfaces. The data show that there is a specific recolonization pattern of S. mutans after chlorhexidine treatment, and that the re-emergence of S. mutans is most probably due to regrowth of bacteria which have not been eradicated.

Levels of infection and colonization of some oral bacteria after use of naf, chlorhexidine and a combined chlorhexidine with naf mouthrinses

“…Daily mouthrinses with chlorhexidine alone reduced levels of infection by mutans streptococci immediately after treatment (T 0 ), afterwards they returned to baseline levels. Despite of some other studies had observed that this reduction had been more prolonged (4,5,11), in our study this fact was not observed probably due to low concentration used. Toxic effects of chlorhexidine on mutans streptococci is due to affect the hydrofobicity (13).…”

Effect of Chlorhexidine Gel in Mentally Handicapped Children highly Infected with Streptococcus Mutans

“…However, 120 days after the treatment period, the levels of these microorganisms showed statistically significant differences from the initial levels (baseline). These results are in agreement with previous studies [13,14,21] which showed a gradual reappearance of Although in all collections performed after treatment with CHX gel, the SM levels significantly differed from the initial levels (baseline), and the results of this study suggest that treatment with CHX gel should be repeated every 60 days, taking into account that for most patients in this study, SM levels observed in this period no longer statistically differ from the level of this microorganism considered high risk for dental caries (≥ 10 5 CFU ml -1 saliva) [3,4] Periods of gel reapplication similar to the present study were established by other authors who evaluated the effect of CHX gel in children with no disabilities. For these patients, CHX gel applications must be repeated in a period ranging from 60 to 90 days [12,17].…”

Effects of chlorhexidine (gel) application on bacterial levels and orthodontic brackets during orthodontic treatment

“…This step allowed higher CHX concentrations to exert potent bactericidal effects on the S. mutans, which was evident by the decrease in the levels of salivary streptococci observed in the current experiment. Previous research has shown that the re-colonization of microorganisms following antimicrobial agent use was because of the re-growth of existing bacteria, which had not been removed, and not because of the introduction of new bacteria (37). This may explain the sustained decrease in salivary S. mutans observed over the course of the experimental period in the current study.…”

“…58, No. 1, [35][36][37][38][39][40][41][42]2016 Original Effects of chlorhexidine (gel) application on bacterial levels and orthodontic brackets during orthodontic treatment treated with fixed orthodontic appliances (9). Different protocols using antimicrobial agents, particularly chlorhexidine (CHX), have been introduced to help control biofilm formation on teeth and brackets in patients treated with fixed orthodontic appliances (4,10,11).…”

“…There were no significant changes in the frictional resistance and surface topography of brackets before or after application of CHX. (J Oral Sci 58, [35][36][37][38][39][40][41][42] 2016) …”