Almaz, Merve ErkmenSonmez, Isil SarogluOkte, ZeynepOba, Aylin Akbay2020-06-252020-06-252017closedAccess1432-69811436-3771https://doi.org/10.1007/s00784-016-1827-yhttps://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12587/7008sonmez, isil/0000-0002-3530-0244The aim of our study was to evaluate the efficacy of an herbal lollipop containing licorice root extract on salivary Streptococcus mutans in caries-free and high-caries-risk children. The study was conducted in caries-free and high-caries-risk children, aged 5-11 years (n = 108). The groups were caries-free children (group A); high-caries-risk children whose dental treatment was completed before lollipop use (group B); and high-caries-risk children who did not comply with dental treatment (group C). The groups were divided into two subgroups: herbal (A-1, B-1, C-1) and placebo lollipops (A-2, B-2, C-2). Saliva samples were taken before dental treatment, before and after consuming lollipops, and at 3 months after consuming lollipops. The results were statistically analyzed with chi-squared test. Only in group C-1 (high-risk, using herbal lollipops) that significant reduction was observed in salivary S. mutans levels after lollipop use (p = 0.033), and only in the same group (C-1), there was significant difference between after lollipop use and third month levels (p = 0.006). Herbal lollipops could be recommended to children with high-caries risk who do not comply with dental treatment in place of high-carbohydrate snacks. The paper provides a perspective on using herbal products in high-risk children for reducing salivary S. mutans counts.eninfo:eu-repo/semantics/closedAccessHerbal therapyDental cariesLicoriceSalivaStreptococcus mutansArticle21383984510.1007/s00784-016-1827-y2-s2.0-8496466154027129589Q1WOS:000398710700014Q1