The Impact of Triclosan-Containing Toothpaste on the Overall and Cariogenic Salivary Microbiota Among Primary School Children

Objectives: Triclosan-diphenyl ether derivate is an agent, which belongs to the Non-Ionic antimicrobial agents group. This study aims to estimate the salivary levels of Streptococcus mutans and Lactobacillus species in the saliva before and after teeth brushing with a dentifrice containing triclosan/copolymer and to compare the number of whole salivary flora by saliva analysis before and after teeth brushing. Methods: To accomplish our objective, we used a Colgate Total Plus Whitening®, Colgate-Palmolive dentifrice. The group consisted of 24 healthy schoolchildren aged 9 – 13 of both sexes. The counts of Streptococcus mutans and Lactobacillus species were determined with commercial CRT bacteria strips produced by Ivoclar-Vivadent, Liechtenstein. The total count of the saliva microbial was determined by standard microbiological methods. Results: A significant reduction in salivary MS and LB levels was observed in all samples as well as a decrease in the total count of aerobe and anaerobe bacteria and yeast. Conclusion: The effectiveness of Colgate Total Plus Whitening® toothpaste in reducing salivary aerobes is statistically significant, but its impact on reducing salivary anaerobic microbes is statistically negligible. The bacteria Streptococcus mutans experiences a decrease that is greater than tenfold, while the bacterium Lactobacillus species experiences a reduction of around tenfold.