Carica papaya mouthrinse as an inhibitor of Streptococcus mutans: Randomized controlled clinical trial

Abstract

Purpose: To evaluate the effect of Carica papaya mouthrinse as an inhibitor of Streptococcus mutans.

Methods: This was a double blind (subject and evaluator) randomized controlled trial in 40 subjects distributed in two groups: Carica papaya mouthrinse intervention (n= 20) or chlorhexidine (n= 20). The antibacterial effect was determined by counting colony-forming units per milliliter (CFU/ml) of S. mutans in saliva sample cultures; taken both before mouthrinse, immediately after 10 minutes mouthrinsing, and 8 days after mouthrinsing. The data was statistically analyzed with Student's t-test (P ≤ 0.05).

Results: The difference before and immediately after (10 minutes) use of Carica papaya mouthrinse was of 764 CFUs. After 8 days use the difference was 212 CFUs. For the control group (0.12% chlorhexidine) the difference before and immediately after use (10 minutes) was 683 CFUs. After 8 days use the difference was 455 CFU. When comparing between groups applying t-test, no statistical differences were found in the (CFU/ml) of S. mutans before and after 10 minutes mouthrinse (P= 0.8060), 10 minutes and 8 days after mouthrinsing (P= 0.7104) before and 8 days after mouthrinsing (P= 0.4419).

Clinical significance: Carica papaya could be an alternative mouthrinse for the inhibition of Streptococcus mutans.