1. Efficacy of a sugar-free herbal lollipop for reducing salivary Streptococcus mutans levels: a randomized controlled trial.
- Author
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Almaz ME, Sönmez IŞ, Ökte Z, and Oba AA
- Subjects
- Child, Child, Preschool, Dental Caries Susceptibility, Female, Humans, Male, Plant Roots, Treatment Outcome, Candy, Glycyrrhiza, Plant Extracts pharmacology, Saliva microbiology, Streptococcus mutans drug effects
- Abstract
Objective: The 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., Materials and Methods: 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., Results: 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)., Conclusions: Herbal lollipops could be recommended to children with high-caries risk who do not comply with dental treatment in place of high-carbohydrate snacks., Clinical Relevance: The paper provides a perspective on using herbal products in high-risk children for reducing salivary S. mutans counts.
- Published
- 2017
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