Microbiological Evaluation in Children with Early Childhood Caries after Full Mouth Rehabilitation

Background: To estimate the pre and post treatment streptococcus mutans count in saliva with and without oral antiseptic application (10% povidone iodine) in children with ECC in the age group of 3-5 years in a six month perspective.

Method: The patients taken for the study were photographed and a baseline sample of stimulated whole saliva was collected. A thorough clinical examination was done and deft was recorded. The saliva samples were microbiologically analyzed for streptococcus mutans. Treatment procedures were done on all patients. Photographs and saliva samples were collected and analyzed for streptococcus mutans. A solution of 10% povidone iodine was applied for 4-5 minutes approximately on all teeth. The treated patients received a total of 3 iodine applications at an interval of 2 months. Deionized water was applied to dentition of subjects in the control group at similar intervals. Collection of saliva samples was done at 3 months and 6 months interval and sent for microbiological analysis of streptococcus mutans.

Results: Results indicated that there was a marked reduction in streptococcus mutans count postoperatively compared to pre operative counts. This indicates a reduction in streptococcus mutans count after full mouth rehabilitation which is statistically highly significant. Further, there was a fall in the number of streptococcus mutans at 3 months and 6 months follow up in the group of children receiving topical antimicrobial. Also there was no statistically significant fall in the number of streptococcus mutans at 6 months follow up in children receiving placebo indicating that bacterial count tends to return to original level at 6 months.

Conclusion: Restoration of carious lesions caused a statistically significant fall in streptococcus mutans count. The application of 10% povidone iodine causes a significant reduction in the rise of streptococcus mutans levels from the baseline postoperative score after 6 months of treatment. Reduction in counts, in turn, decreases relapse of caries in children.