Comparative evaluation of Cranberry extract mouth rinse, Ozonized water and 0.2% Chlorhexidine on salivary Streptococcus mutans and Lactobacilli count: An in-vivo study

Abstract

Background: Cariogenic bacteria has always been considered as the highest risk factor for dental caries. The eradication of microorganisms from the oral health environment is important and hence may remedies have been suggested for its removal for a better oral health.

Objectives:  To assess the minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) of  Cranberry extract and to determine the efficacy and compare the effect of the three products on salivary Streptococcus Mutans count and lactobacilli count.
Materials and Methodology: A randomized control, double blind, parallel-group clinical trial was conducted on 75 subjects of age group of 15 years who were divided into three study groups ,Cranberry , Ozonized water and Chlorhexidine mouthwash. Microbial analysis was done by colony counter unit at baseline, 8thday and 15th day of using the mouthwashes. The inter-group variations was analyzed by using One way ANOVA followed by Tukey’s post hoc and Repeated measures for intra-group variations at different time intervals.

Results: Streptococcus mutans and Lactobacilli colony count showed a statistically highly significant difference in reduction of colony count between the three groups (p=0.001) at 8th and 15th day of using the mouthwashes. Ozonized water showed better reduction when compared with Cranberry mouth wash in reduction of Streptococcus mutans count. Cranberry mouth wash had shown a better reduction when compared with Ozonized water in reduction of Lactobacilli colony count.
Conclusion: The test mouthwash was effective in reducing the microbial count, similar to Chlorhexidine mouth wash. Recent advances may allow the dental community to be exposed to much better oral health care.

key words : cranberry, ozone water, streptococcus mutans, lacto bacilli, oral hygiene