三氯羟苯醚漱口液作用特点的研究

目的 研究新型三氯羟苯醚（triclosan）漱口液－力博漱口液的作用特点。方法 ①检查并记录受检者用药前后的牙菌斑指数和牙龋出血指数,观察临床疗效。②采集受检者用药前后受检者的龋下菌斑标本,厌氧环境下培养,计数菌落数（CUF／L）。对比用药前后的抑菌效果。③选择变形链球菌C、牙龋卟啉单胞菌等为实验菌株,以倍比稀释后的三氯羟苯醚漱口液和酸氯己定漱口液为抑菌物,厌氧培养后,观察抑菌环大小,对比两种漱口液对不同菌株的最低抑菌浓度。④在光滑附着板上培养变形链球菌,形成细菌斑膜后,将附着板置于三氯羟苯醚漱口液、醋酸氯己定漱口液和生理盐水中,观察细菌脱落情况。结果 ①三氯羟苯醚漱口液含漱治疗牙龋炎症临床有效,可降低牙菌斑指数及牙龋出血指数。②使用三氯羟苯醚漱口后,口腔致病菌的培养计数有所减少。③三氯羟苯醚漱口液对变形链球菌C的最低抑菌浓度低于醋酸氯己定漱口液,对牙龋卟啉单胞菌的最低抑菌浓度高于醋酸氯己定漱口液。④在三氯羟苯醚漱口液中,附着板上的细菌膜最容易脱落,三氢羟苯醚漱口液的抗细菌附着作用强于醋酸氯己定漱口液和生理盐水。结论     

In vivo effects of fluoride, chlorhexidine and zinc ions on acid formation by dental plaque and salivary mutans streptococcus counts in patients with irradiation-induced xerostomia

Irradiation therapy including major salivary glands may result in xerostomia and enhanced susceptibility to dental caries. The present aim was to assess the ability of mouthrinses with F-, Zn2+, and chlorhexidine (CH), in various combinations, to reduce acidogenic potential of dental plaque and salivary mutans streptococcus counts (SMSC) in 7 patients with xerostomia secondary to irradiation. The patients rinsed twice daily for 3 weeks with the following test solutions: (1) 12 mmol/l NaF (F; control), (2) NaF + 20 mmol/l ZnCl2 (F-Zn), and (3) NaF + 1.1 mmol/l CH (F-CH). Resting periods (F) of varying lengths were incorporated. Acid formation by dental plaque was monitored as plaque pH response to a sucrose mouthrinse, at the end of each test period, 4 h after mouthrinsing with test solution. Plaque pH was measured repeatedly at 2-8 sites in each patient before, and up to 60 min after the sucrose mouthrinse using touch microelectrodes. SMSC were determined using Dentocult SM-Strip mutans. Compared with F, F-CH significantly (P < or = 0.02) reduced acid formation by plaque and SMSC, whereas F-Zn did not affect acid formation or SMSC significantly. Pilot experiments in 4 patients showed mouthrinses with NaF + 0.55 mmol/l CH + 10 mmol/l Zn2+ to be ineffective, whereas NaF + 2.2 mmol/l CH was highly effective, but no better than F-CH. Twice daily mouthrinses with 12 mmol/l NaF in combination with 1.1 mmol/l CH may be an effective regimen to prevent post-irradiation caries.     

Development and establishment of fluoride-resistant strains of Streptococcus mutans in rats

Fluoride-resistant strains of mutans streptococci have been found to be less cariogenic than their parent strains in the rat model system. Therefore, it is important to determine whether the use of fluorides in vivo will increase the fluoride resistance of mutans streptococci and thereby possibly decrease their cariogenic potential. We studied (1) the fluoride resistance of Streptococcus mutans C180-2 in rat dental plaque exposed to various fluoride treatments (experiment 1), (2) the cariogenic potential of the exposed plaque after transmission to other animals (experiment 2), and (3) whether the fluoride treatments favoured the establishment of in vitro induced fluoride-resistant S. mutans in competition with a fluoride-sensitive strain in rat dental plaque (experiment 3). In all experiments, specific pathogen-free Osborne-Mendel rats were used, and all animals received diet SSP 20/5, containing 20% (w/w) sucrose and 5% (w/w) glucose, and tap water ad libitum. In experiment 1, the rats were inoculated with S. mutans C180-2. For an experimental period of 44 days, the rats either received no F treatment or received NaF mixed in the diet and drinking water (20 or 60 ppm F) or were brushed 6 days per week with an aqueous NaF solution containing either 0.1% (w/v) or 1% (w/v) F, respectively. Bacteriological analyses at the end of the experiment revealed that none of the fluoride treatments had caused a detectable increase in the inherent fluoride resistance of S. mutans C180-2.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Influence of a fluoride mouthrinse on mutans streptococci in schoolchildren

This study aimed to determine whether the long-term use of a fluoride mouthrinse affects the salivary levels of mutans streptococci. Two hundred and fifteen schoolchildren (aged 9-10 years) participated. One hundred and forty-nine of these children had used a fluoride mouthrinse since 5 years of age at nursery school, and the remaining 66 children had not. DFT (decayed and filled teeth) was recorded, and the salivary levels of Streptococcus mutans and Streptococcus sobrinus were measured using mitis salivarius bacitracin agar. The group that had used a fluoride mouthrinse had a significantly lower prevalence of both S. mutans and S. sobrinus (p = 0.038) and a significantly lower DFT score (p < 0.001) than the other group. Using logistic regression analysis including caries experience at baseline as a dependent variable, the odds ratio of carrying S. mutans alone was 8.0 (p = 0.066) and that of carrying both S. mutans and S. sobrinus was 16.5 (p = 0.022) in the group that had not used the fluoride mouthrinse. Children carrying both S. mutans and S. sobrinus had a higher caries incidence in 1 year than the others, with odds ratios of 5.73 (p = 0.067) in the group with a fluoride mouthrinse and 3.47 (p = 0.035) in the group without it. These results show that the long-term use of a fluoride mouthrinse is associated with reduced salivary levels of mutans streptococci and this bacterial reduction may partly contribute to the suppression of dental caries in children using a long-term fluoride mouthrinse.     

Effect of an essential oil-containing antiseptic mouthrinse on plaque and salivary Streptococcus mutans levels

BACKGROUND: Clinical studies in which antimicrobial mouthrinses were shown to have significant antiplaque activity most frequently have used gingivitis as the clinically relevant endpoint. However, there is evidence to suggest that mouthrinses containing active agents effective against Streptococcus mutans, such as chlorhexidine, may also have a role in inhibiting dental caries. This clinical study was conducted to determine the effect of 2x-daily rinsing with an essential oil-containing antiseptic mouthrinse (Listerine Antiseptic) on levels of recoverable S. mutans and total streptococci in supragingival interproximal plaque and in saliva. Additionally, a follow-up in vitro study is reported which determined whether a differential susceptibility to the antiseptic mouthrinse exists among different strains of streptococci. METHOD: Following baseline saliva and plaque sampling for quantification of recoverable S. mutans and total streptococci, 29 qualifying subjects were randomly assigned either the essential oil mouthrinse or a sterile water control. They rinsed with 20 ml for 30s 2 x daily for 11 days and once on the 12th day, in addition to their usual oral hygiene procedures. On day 12, saliva and plaque samples were again collected and microbiological quantification performed. The procedures were repeated with the alternate rinse after a 1-week washout period. RESULTS: The essential oil mouthrinse produced respective reductions of 69.9% and 75.4% in total recoverable streptococci and in S. mutans in plaque, and corresponding reductions of 50.8% and 39.2% in saliva. The in vitro study revealed that streptococci from the mutans group were more susceptible to the bactericidal activity of the essential oil mouthrinse than streptococci from the mitis group. CONCLUSIONS: As antimicrobial mouthrinses are most frequently recommended to patients whose mechanical oral hygiene procedures are not adequate for the control of supragingival plaque and gingivitis, this study provides an additional rationale for the inclusion of the essential-oil mouthrinse as an adjunct to daily oral hygiene procedures.     

Comparison between 3 triclosan dentifrices on plaque, gingivitis and salivary microflora

Abstract 3 triclosan-containing dentifrices were compared in a 6-month, un-supervised tooth brushing study. The effects on plaque, gingival bleeding and certain salivary micro-organisms (mutans streptococci, lactobacilli, total counts of streptococci and total counts of micro-organisms) were evaluated. 123 subjects were divided into 4 groups according to severity of gingival bleeding index. 112 subjects completed the study. Following a 4-week pre-experimental period, using a sodium monofluorophosphate dentifrice (placebo), the subjects were assigned to use one of 3 triclosan-containing dentifrices, available on the Swedish market: Colgate Paradent (a triclosan/copolymer dentifrice) (n=26); Pepsodent Gum Health (a triclosan/zinc citrate dentifrice) (n=31); Dentosal Friskt Tandkött (a triclosan/pyrophosphate dentifrice) (n=28); or to continue with the placebo (n=21). The results revealed that Colgate Paradent reduced baseline plaque values by 39% (Quigley and Hein) over the 6-month experimental period. The corresponding values for the other modalities were: a reduction of 6% for Pepsodent Gum Health, an increase of 5% for Dentosal Friskt Tandkött. and an increase of 2% for placebo. A significant difference in the plaque levels (p<0.05) was found between Colgate Paradent and Pepsodent Gum Health and between Colgate Paradent and placebo. The gingival bleeding index was improved in all 4 groups. A significant difference (p<0.05) was found with respect to bleeding between Colgate Paradent and placebo (p<0.05) at the 3-month registration. A statistically significant increase over time in total number of streptococci and total colony forming units were found for the Dentosal, Pepsodent and placebo groups, but not for Colgate. To conclude, this study seems to verify that a dentifrice containing a combination of triclosan and copolymer is effective in reducing supra-gingival plaque formation and gingival bleeding without causing major shifts in the salivary microflora.     

The effect of mouthrinses containing zinc and triclosan on plaque accumulation, development of gingivitis and formation of calculus in a 28-week clinical test

Abstract Experimental mouthrinses containing 0.4% zinc sulphate and 0.15% triclosan, which differed in base formulations were compared to a commercially available non-active control mouthrinse. Following baseline clinical examinations for plaque, gingival bleeding and calculus, the volunteers were provided with a dental prophylaxis and given oral hygiene instruction, stratified into 3 groups and given 1 of 3 mouthrinses. Further clinical assessments were performed after 4. 16 and 28 weeks. Salivary mutans streptococci were also monitored during the study. At 4 weeks, plaque and calculus scores in all groups were low compared to baseline. During the remainder of the study, these improvements were not maintained and both plaque and calculus levels increased in all groups. Plaque was significantly lower (p<0.05) than in the control at all time points. Calculus was significantly lower at week 28 for experimental mouthrinse group 2. Gingival bleeding also decreased in the initial 4 weeks but increased thereafter in the control group. In contrast, gingival bleeding was significantly (p<0.05) lower in the two experimental groups than in the control group. No significant changes in mutans streptococci were observed.     

Retention of fluoride/triclosan in plaque following different modes of administration

Abstract . The aim of the present investigation was to compare: (i) de novo plaque formation, and (ii) fluoride and triclosan concentration in approximal plaque, when a NaF/triclosan/Gantrez®-containing dentifrice slurry or a mouthrinse were administrated during a 2-week period of no mechanical plaque control. 10 subjects rinsed for 60 s, 2× daily, for a 14-day period with one of the following 3 test products: (A) a dentifrice slurry including 1 ml of a NaF/triclosan/Gantrez® dentifrice mixed with 10 ml of tap water, (B) 10 ml of a NaF/triclosan/Gantrez® mouthrinse, or (C) 10 ml of a NaF mouthrinse. De novo plaque formation was assessed on days 4, 7 and 14 using the Turesky's modification of the Quigley and Hein index system. Samples of approximal plaque were obtained immediately after clinical examination on day 14. The samples were analyzed with respect to concentration of fluoride and triclosan using an ion-specific electrode and a HPLC system, respectively. The 14-day period was repeated using another test product until all 10 subjects had used all 3 test products in a randomized order. The results showed that: (i) significantly more fluoride was retained in the approximal plaque following periods A and B than period C, and (ii) less plaque was formed during period B than periods A and C.     

Combined effects of NaF and SLS on acid- and polysaccharide-formation of biofilm and planktonic cells

Bacteria grow preferentially attached to surfaces embedded in an exopolysaccharide matrix to form biofilms. In this mode of growth, bacteria often show reduced susceptibility to antimicrobials. The aim of this study was to investigate whether the combination of NaF and the detergent sodium lauryl sulphate (SLS) could result in additive effects on acid formation by planktonic and biofilm cells, as well as on extracellular polysaccharide formation. An additive inhibitory effect on Streptococcus mutans acid formation was observed, both in planktonic and biofilm cells. In dental biofilms, SLS alone and in combination with NaF reduced acid formation. Extracellular polysaccharide formation by S. mutans and saliva was reduced by SLS alone and in combination with NaF. In dentifrices and mouthrinse solutions, NaF and SLS are often present in combination. It remains to be determined whether an additive effect on acid formation may also occur in dental biofilms under different concentrations from those used in the present study, and whether the effects may be selective for certain bacterial species.     

Real-time interaction of oral streptococci with human salivary components

Oral streptococci are present in large numbers in dental plaque and several types interact with the enamel salivary pellicle to form a biofilm on tooth surfaces. The respective affinity of individual streptococci for salivary components has an influence on the etiologic properties of oral biofilm in the development of dental caries. We studied real-time biospecific interactions between oral streptococci and salivary components utilizing biosensor technology to analyze surface plasmon resonance. Streptococcus sanguis and Streptococcus mutans showed significant responses for binding to salivary components, in comparison with other bacteria. Further, the association rates (4.1 x 10-11/bacterium) and dissociation rate (5.7 +/- 0.9 x 10-3 Second(s)-1) were higher for S. sanguis than for S. mutans (2.4 x 10-11 and 2.9 +/- 0.8 x 10-3) and Streptococcus mitis (1.3 x 10-11 and 3.5 +/- 1.3 x 10-3). However, the association equilibrium constants (8.2 S/bacterium) for S. mutans was 2 times higher in than S. mitis (3.8) and slightly higher than S. sanguis (7.2). These findings may provide useful information regarding the mechanism of early biofilm formation by streptococci on the tooth surface.     

Protection of dentin by triclosan toothpaste in a bacterial demineralisation model

The effect of the addition 0.3% triclosan to a non-fluoride and fluoride toothpaste was tested in an in vitro demineralisation model. This model comprised bovine dentin specimens overlaid with acidogenic Streptococcus mutans suspensions in agarose at two different concentrations of cells. Before the experiments, subsurface lesions were made in the dentin specimens in a methylcellulose gel system. In a first set of experiments, the toothpastes were diluted in the S. mutans suspensions at w/v dilutions of 1:100, 1:1,000, and 1:10,000, respectively. After 22 h of incubation at 37 degrees C, the suspensions were removed and assessed for calcium, lactate and pH. In this set of experiments, an additive protective effect of triclosan to the non-fluoride toothpaste was found at the lowest concentration of S. mutans cells and when the toothpaste was relatively undiluted (1:100 w/v). No additive effect was observed to the fluoride toothpaste. In the second set of experiments, the specimens were immersed daily for 3 min in 30% (w/v) slurries of the toothpastes before the 22-h incubations with the S. mutans suspensions. At the lowest concentration of S. mutans cells, triclosan had an additional protective effect to the non-fluoride and fluoride toothpaste. It is concluded that triclosan may contribute to the protection of dentin under a mild acid attack both when it is present in dental plaque and when it has been adsorbed to the dentin.     

Effect of chitosan rinsing on reduction of dental plaque formation

The purpose of the present study was to investigate whether the use of a chitosan mouthrinse could be efficacious in reducing plaque and saliva mutans streptococci level. A randomized crossover clinical trial was performed to evaluate the effect of a rinse with 0.5% chitosan for 14 days on plaque formation and mutans streptococci counts in saliva. Twenty-four subjects were randomly assigned either the chitosan rinse or a placebo rinse in addition to their usual oral hygiene procedures. Following the baseline examination, each subject was given a prophylaxis. They were instructed to rinse with 20 ml of the mouthrinse twice daily for 30 seconds. Plaque scores were measured after a 14-day rinsing period, and mutans streptococci counts in saliva were also determined at the start and the end of the each rinsing period. The procedures were repeated with the alternate rinse after a 14-day washout period. Rinsing with 0.5% chitosan was significantly more effective in plaque reduction using the Quigley & Hein Index (chitosan: 1.44, placebo: 1.62, p < 0.001) and Plaque Severity Index (chitosan: 0.138, placebo: 0.186, p = 0.003). The mutans streptococci count in saliva was less after the chitosan rinsing (chi 2 cal = 13.51, p = 0.035) than placebo rinsing. In conclusion, the chitosan rinsing was effective in reducing plaque formation and counts of salivary mutans streptococci after a 14-day rinsing period. These results would appear to warrant further investigation into the potential value of chitosan as an effective anti-plaque agent for use in oral hygiene products.     

Effect of SnF2, administered as mouthrinses or topically applied, on Streptococcus mutans, Streptococcus sanguis and lactobacilli in dental plaque and saliva

Abstract – Mouthrinsing with SnF₂ reduced the Streptococcus mutans population in plaque and saliva and the proportion of Streptococcus sanguis in plaque. The effect was of short duration: 2 weeks after treatment the values of S. mutans in plaque and saliva were even higher than the pretreatment values. Topical SnF₂ applications reduced the S. mutans population in plaque and saliva but did not reduce the proportion of S. sanguis in plaque. The eflect was more prolonged: 4 weeks after treatment the S. mutans population in interproximal plaque remained significantly reduced and the salivary levels of the organism had not fully returned to pretreatment levels. Both SnF₂ treatments significantly increased the salivary levels of lactobacilli. The values of laclobacilli in saliva remained signilicantly increased 4 weeks after the SnF₂ mouthrinsing but had almost returned to pretreatment levels within 2 weeks after the topical SnF₂ applications. The findings suggest that the cariogenic potential of dental plaque is differently affected depending on whether a drug is administered as a mouthrinse or is applied topically.     

Effects of mouth rinses with chlorhexidine and zinc ions combined with fluoride on the viability and glycolytic activity of dental plaque

Inhibition of plaque acidogenicity by a mouthrinse with chlorhexidine (CHX) or zinc ions has been ascribed to a prolonged bacteriostasis due to substantive properties of the agents. The present aim was to study the effects of mouthrinses with CHX and Zn ions combined with fluoride on the viability and glycolytic activity of dental plaque in order to assess the bacteriostatic versus possible bactericidal effects. Following 2 d of plaque accumulation, 4 groups of 10 students rinsed with either 12 mM NaF (F), 0.55 mM CHX diacetate + F (F-CHX), 10 mM Zn acetate+F (F-Zn), or with the three agents in combination (F-CHX-Zn). Plaque samples were collected before and 90 min after mouthrinsing. Thereafter, the in vivo plaque pH response to sucrose was monitored in each student using touch microelectrodes. F-CHX and F-CHX-Zn reduced the in vivo pH fall significantly as compared with F. whereas F-Zn exerted a non-significant inhibition. Pooled pre- and post-rinse plaque samples were used to measure the pH fall during fermentation of [¹⁴C]-glucose, and the glycolytic profiles were analyzed by HPLC. Bacterial viability was assessed by counting the colony-forming units (CPU). All mouthrinses except F reduced glucose consumption and acid formation and thus the pH fall. F-CHX reduced the CFU equal to the reduction of glucose consumption, indicating that inhibition of plaque acidogenicity was due to a bactericidal rather than a bacteriostatic effect. F and F-Zn did not reduce the CFU, thus F-Zn decreased glucose metabolism without affecting plaque viability. F-CHX-Zn reduced both the CFU and glucose metabolism of surviving plaque microorganisms.     

Acid-induced acid tolerance and acidogenicity of non-mutans streptococci

Acid tolerance and acidogenicity of non-mutans streptococci and their capacity of acid adaptation were studied. The cells of non-mutans streptococci (Streptococcus sanguis [Streptococcus sanguinis], Streptococcus gordonii, Streptococcus oralis and Streptococcus mitis) grown at pH 7.0 showed 0.0088% to 71% viability after acidification at pH 4.0 for 60 min, whereas the cells of mutans streptococci (Streptococcus mutans) were not killed by the acidification. Washed cells of non-mutans streptococci lowered pH to 4.04-4.33 in the presence of glucose, while mutans streptococci cells lowered pH to 3.70. When the growth pH was shifted to 5.5 for 30-90 min, the viability of non-mutans streptococci after the acidification at pH 4.0 for 60 min increased (0.25% to 91%) and the minimum pH values of the cells in the presence of glucose decreased (3.90 4.19). Along with the increase in acid tolerance and acidogenicity, non-mutans streptococci increased activities of H(+)-ATPase and arginine deiminase and amounts of stress proteins cross-reacting with 60 kDa and 70 kDa heat shock proteins (Hsp60 and Hsp70). These results indicate that non-mutans streptococci were capable of increasing their acid tolerance and acidogenicity in response to environmental acidification. Furthermore, it is suggested that the acid adaptation observed in non-mutans streptococci cells could involve the induction of H(+)-ATPase, arginine deiminase and stress protein syntheses. The strains of non-mutans streptococci, which are pioneer bacteria for dental plaque formation and predominant in plaque microbial flora, may play a significant role in shifting the dental plaque environment toward acidic and consequently promoting the colonization of more acid-tolerant and acidogenic bacteria such as mutans streptococci and lactobacilli.     

The acid-tolerant microbiota associated with plaque from initial caries and healthy tooth surfaces

The intent of this study was to compare the inherent acid tolerance of bacteria in samples of dental plaque from tooth sites in subjects with and without initial caries. Plaque was collected from approximal surfaces showing early enamel caries and from healthy tooth surfaces in the same subjects, as well as from enamel surfaces of caries-free individuals. In addition to plating on blood agar, the plaque samples were plated directly on non-selective solid agar medium buffered to pH 7.0, 6.0, 5.5, 5.0, 4.5 and 4.0 to avoid any loss of adaptation to acid during primary isolation of plaque bacteria. The results showed that approximately 50% of the total cultivable plaque microbiota from caries, as well as healthy tooth sites, was able to grow at pH 5.5 and 1% at pH 5.0, pH values regarded as critical for the demineralization of tooth enamel. At pH 5.0, members of the genus Streptococcus were the dominant group, but mutans streptococci accounted for less than half of the streptococcal viable count. The other acid-tolerant streptococcal isolates included Streptococcus anginosus, Streptococcus constellatus, Streptococcus gordinii, Streptococcus intermedius, Streptococcus mitis, Streptococcus oralis, Streptococcus salivarius and SStreptococcus sanguis. Analysis of the results indicated that the mutans streptococci in dental plaque were highly variable with respect to acid tolerance, and that both caries and healthy sites harboured significant numbers of mutans streptococci that were not acid-tolerant.     

Plaque inhibition by a combination of zinc citrate and sodium lauryl sulfate

Bacteriological tests demonstrated an additive inhibitory effect of ZnCl2 and sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) on in vitro growth of Streptococcus sobrinus OMZ 176 and of Streptococcus sanguis ATCC 10556. As measured by atomic absorption spectrophotometry, the solubility of zinc citrate increased in the presence of SLS. After 48 h, the concentration of solubilized zinc from aqueous solutions of 5.0 mM zinc citrate was 12.0 mM versus 14.4 mM in the presence of 34.7 mM SLS. The plaque-inhibiting properties of aqueous solutions of 12.0 mM Zn2+ from zinc citrate, 34.7 mM SLS, and 14.4 mM Zn2+ from zinc citrate in combination with 34.7 mM SLS were examined in 7 volunteers. Plaque accumulations were assessed by using a method earlier described after 3 days of twice daily mouthrinses with 10 ml test solution, during which period no mechanical oral hygiene was performed. Compared to placebo, SLS and zinc citrate increased the frequency of plaque index score 0 by 52.9 and 98.3%, respectively, and SLS gave 36.9% and zinc citrate 55.7% less surfaces with scores 2 or 3 (p less than 0.05 in all cases). The combination of zinc citrate and SLS gave a threefold increase of plaque index score 0 and a 70.5% reduction of scores 2 or 3 (p less than 0.05).     

Recalcitrance of Streptococcus mutans biofilms towards detergent-stimulated detachment

The biofilm mode of growth protects the plaque microorganisms against environmental attacks, such as from antimicrobials or detergents. Detergents have a demonstrated ability to detach initially adhering bacteria from enamel surfaces, but the ability of detergent components to detach plaque bacteria is not always obvious from in vivo experiments and reports on their clinical efficacy are inconsistent. It is likely that antimicrobials or detergents are unable to penetrate the plaque and reach the bacteria that actually link the plaque mass to the substratum surface. Attenuated total reflectance/Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy was used to measure the transport of sodium lauryl sulphate (SLS) through Streptococcus mutans HG 985 biofilms. The transport of SLS to the base of the S. mutans biofilms was not hindered, while moreover an accumulation of SLS near the base of the biofilms was found, suggesting that SLS was adsorbed to biofilm components. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy confirmed the ability of S. mutans, grown on sucrose supplemented medium, to adsorb SLS, and simultaneously indicated that exposure of cells to SLS might lead to a loss of surface proteins. Furthermore, experiments in a parallel-plate flow chamber demonstrated that initially adhering S. mutans HG 985 could be stimulated to detach by SLS, but that, depending on the growth stage of the biofilm, only maximally 27% of biofilm bacteria could be stimulated to detach by a 4% (w/v) SLS solution.     

Colonization of rat molar teeth by mutans streptococci with different salivary agglutination characteristics

The oral implantation of salivary agglutination-positive and -negative mutans streptococci was studied using streptomycin resistant (StrR) organisms. StrR Streptococcus mutans strains Ingbritt and NCTC 10449 are agglutinated by rat saliva and the StrR strains Streptococcus sobrinus 6715-13 and Strep. mutans GS5 are not. Four groups of Sprague-Dawley rats were inoculated orally with each organism (one per group) and fed a sucrose diet. A further two groups of animals were similarly inoculated with either the agglutination-positive Strep. mutans Ingbritt or the agglutination-negative Strep. sobrinus 6715-13 and fed a glucose diet. StrR streptococci were recovered from smooth-surface dental plaque of all animals on the sucrose diet with no significant difference in the recovery of agglutination-positive Strep. mutans strains Ingbritt and NCTC 10449 and agglutination-negative Strep. mutans GS5. However, the recovery of agglutination-negative Strep. sobrinus 6715-13 from smooth-surface plaque of animals on either the sucrose or the glucose diets was significantly lower than that of the other strains. Agglutination-positive Strep. mutans Ingbritt colonized smooth enamel surfaces of animals on the sucrose and the glucose diets in numbers that were not significantly different. However, the colonization of such surfaces by agglutination-negative Strep. sobrinus 6715-13 was significantly enhanced by the sucrose diet. Agglutination-positive and -negative StrR mutans streptococci were recovered from fissure plaque of all inoculated sucrose-fed animals in numbers that were not significantly different. Successful colonization of smooth enamel surfaces by the StrR streptococci resulted in increased smooth-surface caries.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

The influence of specific foods and oral hygiene on the microflora of fissures and smooth surfaces of molar teeth: A 5-day study.

A group of 20 students, harbouring >10(4) mutans streptococci per millilitre of saliva, was enrolled into the study. Models for sampling, reproducibly, the dental plaque present in specific sites (fissure and smooth surface) on the dentition were developed and validated. Withdrawal of normal oral hygiene procedures for only 1 day resulted in approximately 10-fold increases in the number of micro-organisms recovered from both sites. The effect of supplementing the subjects' diets with particular food items given 5 times per day [lemonade (5.8% w/v sugars, 250 ml), biscuits (digestive biscuits, 67.6% w/w carbohydrate of which 22% w/w was sugars and 45.6% w/w was starch), caramel toffees and sugar lumps] on the number of micro-organisms recovered and on the composition of the flora at both sites was determined. Dental plaque samples were taken after 5 days and it was found that supplementation of the diet with toffee and sugar lumps resulted in significantly more micro-organisms at both sampling sites. The supplementation of the diets with lemonade or biscuits did not significantly alter the numbers of micro-organisms recovered from either site. The percentage composition of the plaque samples from both dental sites remained relatively unaffected by oral hygiene although there were lower levels of mutans streptococci which might be related to the use of an antimicrobial toothpaste containing fluoride, triclosan and zinc citrate. This study suggests that the cariogenicity of certain sucrose-containing foods may, in part, be due to the enhancement of plaque accumulation in addition to other effects on the percentage composition of the plaque which may become manifest on prolonged usage of these dietary foodstuffs. These observations are consistent with dietary survey findings which often find consumption of confectionery related to caries experience or incidence.