Effect of Green Tea Extract Mouthwash on Salivary Streptococcus mutans Counts in a Group of Preschool Children: An In Vivo Study

AIM: This study was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of green tea mouthwash on the salivary level of Streptococcus mutans in the preschool children. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this randomized controlled clinical trial, 40 cooperative children (4–5 years old) were divided into two groups. The study group included 20 children who did the routine tooth brushing 3 times/day, and then green tea extract mouthwash (8 mL/day) 2 times/day for 4 weeks. The control group included other 20 children who did the routine tooth brushing as the study group but did not use any green tea extract mouthwash. The quantitative microbiological laboratory cultivation method of S. mutans was carried out for each child at the baseline, after 2 weeks, and after 4 weeks of the study period. RESULTS: Statistically, the results showed that there was a statistically significant difference in the mean log S. mutans counts between the study and control groups in both follow-up periods after 2 weeks and after 4 weeks. Also, there were statistically significant mean percentage decreases in log S. mutans counts for the two groups. CONCLUSION: The use of green tea mouthwash showed promising results in reducing the cariogenic salivary S. mutans counts. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Green tea extract mouthwash is a nontoxic and safe, particularly for children. Catechins, the main bioactive ingredient of green tea, show an antibacterial action; thus, it has a promising effect in decreasing the count of salivary S. mutans and in the prevention of dental caries. HOW TO CITE THIS ARTICLE: Salama MT, Alsughier ZA. Effect of Green Tea Extract Mouthwash on Salivary Streptococcus mutans Counts in a Group of Preschool Children: An In Vivo Study. Int J Clin Pediatr Dent 2019;12(2):133–138.