Randomized controlled trial: a randomized controlled clinical trial comparing a remineralizing paste with an antibacterial gel to prevent early childhood caries

• Published in: Pediatric dentistry Vol. 35; no. 1; p. 8
• Main Authors: Plonka, K A, Pukallus, M L, Holcombe, T F, Barnett, A G, Walsh, L J, Seow, W K
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States 01.01.2013
• Subjects: Age Factors; Anti-Infective Agents, Local - therapeutic use; Bacterial Load; Cariostatic Agents - therapeutic use; Caseins - therapeutic use; Child, Preschool; Chlorhexidine - therapeutic use; Dental Caries - prevention & control; Fluorides - therapeutic use; Health Education, Dental; Humans; Infant; Lactobacillus - drug effects; Lactobacillus - isolation & purification; Mothers - education; Poverty; Single-Blind Method; Streptococcus mutans - drug effects; Streptococcus mutans - isolation & purification; Tooth Remineralization - methods; Toothbrushing - methods; Toothpastes - therapeutic use
• ISSN: 1942-5473

The purpose of this study was to compare twice daily tooth-brushing using 0.304 percent fluoride toothpaste alone with: (1) twice daily tooth-brushing plus once daily 10% casein phosphopeptide-amorphous calcium phosphate (CPP-ACP) paste; and (2) twice daily tooth-brushing plus once daily 0.12% chlorhexidine gel (CHX) for reducing early childhood caries (ECC) and mutans streptococci (MS) colonization. Subjects (n=622) recruited at birth were randomized to receive either CPP-ACP or CHX or no product (study control [SC]). All children were examined at 6, 12, and 18 months old in their homes, and at 24 months old in a community dental clinic. At 24 months old, the caries incidence was 1% (2/163) in CPP-ACP, 2% (4/180) in CHX, and 2% (3/188) in SC groups. In children who were previously MS colonized at 12 and 18 months old, 0% (0/11) and 5% (3/63), respectively, of the CPP-ACP group remained MS-positive versus 22% (2/9) and 72% (18/25) in CHX and 16% (4/25) and 50% (7/14) in SC groups (P<.001). There is insufficient evidence to justify the daily use of casein phosphopeptide-amorphous calcium phosphate or chlorhexidine gel to control early childhood caries.