Synergistic effect of chlorhexidine and ethyl alcohol against streptococcus mutans in dental plaque

ABSTRACT

Two main types of Streptococcus mutans [S. mutans] were found in the plaque samples of thirty volunteers. On culture media, the colony of one type had the appearance of frosted glass while the other had dull surface and gray in colour. Frosted glass colony was more prevalent in the plaque samples. It was found that both chlorhexidine and ethyl alcohol have bactericidal or bacteriostatic action against S. mutans of the frosted glass colony. However, the combination of chlorhexidine and ethyul alcohol showed greater effect than the effect of the two antimicrobial agents tested separately