The effect of chitosan and fluoride varnish on Streptococcus mutans count in saliva

Background and Objective: Dental caries is considered as the major oral health problem caused by oral bacteria. The aim of the present study was to compare the effect of chitosan and fluoride varnishes on Streptococcus mutans count in saliva. Materials and methods: A pre-structured questionnaire was prepared to collect data. A total of 90 children without caries or primary caries within the age group of 4-6 years were selected for the study. The subjects were divided in three groups of 30 (n=30) based on the three studied varnishes. Following eating and brushing (1hr), the samples of unstimulated saliva were collected. Group I was treated with 5% chitosan varnish and group II received 3% chitosan varnish and group III was treated with sodium fluoride varnish. Assessment of Streptococcus mutans in saliva was carried out at the baseline and 24h after varnish application. Data were analyzed using t-test, one-way ANOVA, Tukey test, and SPSS ver.15. Results: According the obtained results the number of Streptococcus mutans in saliva was significantly reduced in all three groups (p <0.05). The highest Streptococcus mutans reduction was found in 5% chitosan varnish, 3% chitosan varnish, and sodium fluoride varnish, respectively. The difference between 5% chitosan varnish and sodium fluoride varnish was statistically significant (P<0.05), but no statistically significant difference was found between 3% chitosan varnish and the two other varnish groups (P>0.05). Conclusion: All three varnish groups, 5% chitosan varnish, 3% chitosan varnish, and sodium fluoride varnish can significantly decrease S. mutans count in saliva. 5% chitosan varnish has the satisfactory antimicrobial activity compared the two other varnishes.