Comparative evaluation of electrochemically activated water and 0.2%chlorhexidine as a mouth rinse on salivary streptococcus mutans levels in children- An environmental friendly alternative

Abstract

Context: Due to the resistance of bacteria to most of the commonly used biocides, there is a need to explore new methods of disinfection to help maintain effective bio burden control, especially within the healthcare environment. Electrochemically activated solutions (ECAS) may represent a viable alternative to commonly used disinfectant solutions and a multitude of systems for the generation of active killing solutions.

Aim: To evaluate and compare the antibacterial efficacy of conventionally prepared electrochemically activated water and commercially available 0.2% chlorhexidine as a mouth rinse on salivary Streptococcus mutans levels in children.

Materials and methods: A total of 120 children between the age group of 5 to 12 years with deft >5 were selected. The baselines samples were collected before starting with the rinses. They were then divided into three groups. Group I (Control), Group II (0.2% chlorhexidine)  and  Group III ( Electrochemically activated water). Both the groups II and III practiced rinsing with respective mouth wash for 1 min for 15days once in a day. The samples were collected at 1 day, 7 days and 15 days and sent to microbiological laboratory for S.mutans count.

Statistical analysis used: One way ANOVA test with Tukey post hoc analysis

Results: After 15 days, there was statistically significant difference in the mean values of S.mutans count between three groups. Post hoc analysis showed that mean values of S.mutans count were statistically significantly higher for Group I than Group II and Group III.

Conclusion: Electrochemically activated water showed statistically significant reduction in S.mutans count and was equally effective as 0.2% chlorhexidine .

Keywords: S.mutans, Colony forming units, 0.2% Chlorhexidine, Electrochemically activated water