Assessment of salivary Lactobacillus and Streptococcus mutans counts following sodium fluoride mouthrinsing in Egyptian children.

The salivary Lactobacillus and Streptococcus mutans counts were assessed in 100 Egyptian children, initially before mouthrinsing with 0.05% sodium fluoride solution, 24 hours and 48 hours following rinsing. A statistically significant reduction in Lactobacillus and Streptococcus mutans counts of 49% and 44% respectively was obtained 24 hours following rinsing. This percentage decrease in both bacterial counts was reduced to 27% and 31% respectively, 48 hours following rinsing.