Antibacterial activity of fluoride varnishes containing different agents in children with severe early childhood caries: a randomised controlled trial

Abstract

Objectives The aim of this study was to compare the antibacterial activity of fluoride varnishes containing different agents in children with severe early childhood caries (S-ECC). Materials and methods The study was conducted in 92 children with S-ECC. Patients who completed dental treatment under general anaesthesia were included in the study. Patients were divided randomly into four groups: 5% sodium fluoride (SF) control group (n = 23), 5% SF with tricalcium phosphate (TCP) (n = 23), 5% SF with xylitol-coated calcium and phosphate (CXP) (n = 23) and 5% SF with casein phosphopeptide-amorphous calcium phosphate (CPP-ACP) (n = 23). Saliva mutans streptococci (MS) and lactobacilli (LB) levels were evaluated by taking saliva samples at baseline (T-0), 1 month (T-1) and 3 months (T-2) after treatment. Results All groups showed a significant decrease in MS and LB levels at T-1 (P < 0.05) except the CXP group. Only the TCP group exhibited significantly decrease MS and LB levels indicating less than 10(5) CFU at both T-1 and T-2 compared with the other groups (P < 0.05). Conclusion Fluoride varnish with TCP provided significantly more reduction in MS and LB levels than other fluoride varnishes. Clinical Trials registration number NCT03625310