Comparison of the effect of fluorin total mouthwash with chlorhexidine on the growth rate of streptococcus mutans

Background and Aim: Mouthwashes are one of the tools used to reduce decay. Fluorin total mouthwash is a new mouthwash, so far no research has been done on its effect on streptococcus mutans. Materials and Methods: In this study, the diameter of growth inhibition zone for streptococcus mutans bacteria was compared between fluorin total and chlorhexidine mouthwash. First, we cultured the bacteria on blood agar and incubated for 24 hours at 37° C. Then, we cultivated it on 21 blood agar plates. We randomly put one chlorhexidine disk on 10 plates and one fluorin total disk on other 10 plates. We also placed antibiogram disk and a blank disk without mouthwash on 1 plate. We placed the plates at 37° C for 24 to 48 hours into the incubator and then measured the growth inhibition zone. Results: The growth inhibition zone in the chlorhexidine and fluorin total group was 15.4 mm and 11.4 mm, respectively, which was 4mm higher in the chlorhexidine group,which is statistically significant. Conclusion: Due to the complications of chlorhexidine mouthwash, this mouthwash cannot be used on a daily basis. It seems that fluorin total mouthwash can be used as an auxiliary method for those who are at high risk of decay.