Journal of Dental Research, Vol 56, 1365-1368, Copyright © 1977 by International & American Associations for Dental Research Online Journals
Chlorhexide and fluoride in prevention of plaque and caries in hamsters
L. Brayer, I. Gedalia and A. Gover
The effect of combined administration of chlorhexidine and fluoride in the
drinking water of hamsters on plaque and caries prevention was studied.
Plaque indices of the hamsters receiving chlorhexidine either alone or
simultaneously with fluoride were significantly lower than those of the
control and fluoride only treated hamsters. The type of plaque indices used
in this investigation was area scores. The necessity of quantitatively
assessing plaque by several parameters was emphasized. The degrees of
caries of the experimental groups were significantly lower than of the
control group during the cariogenic diet regime. The anticariogenic effect
of chlorhexidine and fluoride at low concentrations each provided
simultaneously with a cariogenic diet, was confirmed. The differences in
caries rate between the experimental groups were not significant. No
additive effect on the cariostatic action of chlorhexidine and fluoride was
observed when both reagents were applied simultaneously due probably to the
low F concentration in the drinking water. The results did not show a
direct quantitative relationship between plaque and caries.
