Objective: To assess the effectiveness of 0.2% chlorhexidine gluconate mouth rinse on Streptococcus mutans and lactobacilli in orthodontic patients with fixed appliances.
Materials and Methods: Twenty patients, aged 13–18, with fixed orthodontic appliances participated in the study. The levels of S mutans and lactobacilli in saliva samples were evaluated at four stages: at the beginning of the orthodontic treatment, at least 2 weeks after the bonding of brackets, 1 week after the introduction of 0.2% chlorhexidine gluconate mouth rinse, and at the fourth week. The changes in S mutans and lactobacilli levels were analyzed via Wilcoxon test.
Results: Increases in bacterial levels of S mutans and lactobacilli were detected after the orthodontic appliances were bonded. A significant decrease in S mutans levels was observed 1 week after the introduction of chlorhexidine mouth rinse.
Conclusions: An 0.2% chlorhexidine gluconate mouth rinse decreased S mutans levels, but had no effect on lactobacilli levels.
