Comparison of Antimicrobial Efficacy of Green Tea, Garlic with Lime, and Sodium Fluoride Mouth Rinses against Streptococcus mutans, Lactobacilli species, and Candida albicans in Children: A Randomized Double-blind Controlled Clinical Trial

INTRODUCTION: With greater awareness worldwide, the use of herbs and herbal products has increased to a large extent. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate and compare the antimicrobial efficacy of green tea, garlic with lime, and 0.05% sodium fluoride (NaF) mouth rinses against Streptococcus mutans, Lactobacilli species, and Candida albicans. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 45 children aged 4 to 6 years with severe early childhood caries (S-ECC; based on decayed extracted filled [defs] score) were selected. Children were divided randomly into three equal groups and were asked to rinse with the prescribed mouth rinse once daily for 2 weeks after breakfast under supervision. A base-line and postrinsing nonstimulated whole salivary sample (2 mL) was collected and tested for the number of colony-forming units (CFUs). The data were statistically analyzed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 16.0 software with one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Tukey’s post hoc test. RESULTS: A statistically significant fall in colony count was found with the three mouth rinses in S. mutans (p < 0.001, p < 0.001) and Lactobacilli spp. (p < 0.001, p < 0.001), but not against C. albicans (p = 0.264, p = 0.264). On comparison, no statistically significant difference was found against S. mutans (p = 1, p = 0.554, p = 0.572), lactobacilli spp. (p = 0.884, p = 0.999, p = 0.819), and C. albicans (p = 0.999, p = 0.958, p = 0.983). CONCLUSION: The findings of this study indicate that green tea and garlic with lime mouth rinse can be an economical alternative to NaF mouth rinse both for prevention and therapeutics. HOW TO CITE THIS ARTICLE: Thomas A, Thakur S, Habib R. Comparison of Antimicrobial Efficacy of Green Tea, Garlic with Lime, and Sodium Fluoride Mouth Rinses against Streptococcus mutans, Lactobacilli species, and Candida albicans in Children: A Randomized Double-blind Controlled Clinical Trial. Int J Clin Pediatr Dent 2017;10(3):234-239.