The Effect of Gargling with 75% Honey Against the Growth of Streptococcus Mutans

Background: Primary school aged children have high caries risk, due to their tendency to consume cariogenic diet. They are still not aware of maintaining oral hygiene. Streptococcus mutans has an important role in tooth caries formation. Streptococcus mutans is a kind of cariogenic microorganism which is able to ferment carbohydrate. Honey gargling can restore saliva function. Honey is one of natural resources which has antibacterial property. Honey contains hydrogen peroxide which as produced by natural compounds such as oxide glucose and phenol. The aim of the his study is to determine the difference between before and after honey gargling with 75% concentration as antibacterial againts Streptococcus mutans growth in saliva of 10-12 years old children.

Methods: The study used a clinical trial design continued with laboratory trial with one group pretest-posttest design. There were 26 children aged 10-12 years old as subjects. At first, subjects were given aquades gargling. After one week, they were given 75% honey concentration. Saliva were taken after gargling (Group 1 : aquades gargling; Group 2 : honey gargling). Furthermore, researcher counted the amount of Streptococcus mutans by Colony Counter with Colony Forming Unit (CFU). The normality test used Shapiro-Wilk, then continued by Wilcoxon test.

Result: Group 1 has higher amounts of Streptococcus mutans (Mean= 3318,23 ± 1167,77) compared with group 2 (Mean=1496,42 ± 646,842). Wilcoxon test showed the significant difference (p= 0,000; p<0,05) between two groups study. There were differences between Streptococcus mutans growth in saliva of children aged 10-12 years old before and after 75% concentration honey gargling.

Conclusion: Gargling with 75% honey in this study showed a decrease in the growth of Streptococcus mutans in childrens`s saliva.

Keywords : Children, saliva, honey, Streptococcus mutans