GJPS ISSN 3139-6011
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Comparative evaluation of antimicrobial effectiveness of nanosilver sol versus chlorhexidine tooth gel in reducing streptococcus mutans counts in saliva and plaque biofilm: An in vivo study

Ritik Kashwani , Anukriti Kumari , Hemant Sawhney

Pages 19-24 Published 11 April 2026 DOI 10.65929/GJPS.2026.1.1.004
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Abstract

Background: Tooth decay, a common dental condition, is primarily caused by Streptococcus mutans (S. mutans), a bacterium responsible for biofilm formation and enamel demineralization. Traditional antimicrobial agents, such as chlorhexidine, have been used for caries prevention, but new alternatives like nanosilver sol are emerging. This study compares the effectiveness of nanosilver sol and 1% chlorhexidine tooth gel in reducing the counts of S. mutans in saliva and plaque biofilm in children.

Objective: To evaluate and compare the antimicrobial efficacy of nanosilver sol versus chlorhexidine gel in reducing S. mutans counts in saliva and plaque biofilm in pediatric patients.

Materials and Methods: This randomized controlled trial involved 60 children aged 8–12 years, randomly assigned to two treatment groups. Group A received nanosilver sol, and Group B used 1% chlorhexidine gel. Both treatments were applied twice daily for 28 days. Samples of saliva and plaque were collected at baseline and after 28 days. S. mutans counts were determined through microbiological analysis using Mitis Salivarius Bacitracin (MSB) agar. Statistical analysis included both intragroup and intergroup comparisons, utilizing paired t-tests and independent t-tests.

Results: Both treatment groups showed a significant reduction in S. mutans counts from baseline to post-intervention. The Nanosilver Sol Group exhibited a mean reduction of 1.1 × 10^5 CFUs in saliva and 1.4 × 10^5 CFUs in plaque. The Chlorhexidine Group showed a reduction of 1.2 × 10^5 CFUs in saliva and 1.5 × 10^5 CFUs in plaque. There were no significant differences between the groups in terms of reduction (p = 0.25 for saliva, p = 0.23 for plaque). Adverse effects were reported only in the Chlorhexidine Group, where three participants experienced tooth staining, and two reported taste alteration. No adverse effects were noted in the Nanosilver Sol Group.

Conclusion: Both nanosilver sol and chlorhexidine gel effectively reduced S. mutans counts in saliva and plaque biofilm in children. While chlorhexidine showed slightly higher reductions, the difference between the two treatments was not statistically significant. Nanosilver sol, with no reported adverse effects, presents a promising alternative to chlorhexidine in pediatric dental care.

Dates & metrics

Received
28 Dec 2025
Accepted
22 Mar 2026
Published
11 Apr 2026
130 views
83 downloads

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Keywords: Nanosilver sol Chlorhexidine gel Streptococcus mutans Dental caries Pediatric dentistry Antimicrobial efficacy Biofilm Randomized controlled trial

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How to cite this article

Kashwani R, Kumari A, Sawhney H. Comparative evaluation of antimicrobial effectiveness of nanosilver sol versus chlorhexidine tooth gel in reducing streptococcus mutans counts in saliva and plaque biofilm: An in vivo study. Glob. J. Prosthodont. Synergy. 2026;1(1):19-24. doi:10.65929/GJPS.2026.1.1.004

RIS BibTeX EndNote

Kashwani, R., Kumari, A., & Sawhney, H. (2026). Comparative evaluation of antimicrobial effectiveness of nanosilver sol versus chlorhexidine tooth gel in reducing streptococcus mutans counts in saliva and plaque biofilm: An in vivo study. Global Journal of Prosthodontics Synergy, 1(1), 19-24. https://doi.org/10.65929/GJPS.2026.1.1.004

RIS BibTeX EndNote

Ritik Kashwani, Anukriti Kumari, and Hemant Sawhney. "Comparative evaluation of antimicrobial effectiveness of nanosilver sol versus chlorhexidine tooth gel in reducing streptococcus mutans counts in saliva and plaque biofilm: An in vivo study." Global Journal of Prosthodontics Synergy, vol. 1, no. 1, 2026, pp. 19-24. https://doi.org/10.65929/GJPS.2026.1.1.004

RIS BibTeX EndNote

Ritik Kashwani, Anukriti Kumari, and Hemant Sawhney. "Comparative evaluation of antimicrobial effectiveness of nanosilver sol versus chlorhexidine tooth gel in reducing streptococcus mutans counts in saliva and plaque biofilm: An in vivo study." Global Journal of Prosthodontics Synergy 1, no. 1 (2026): 19-24. https://doi.org/10.65929/GJPS.2026.1.1.004

RIS BibTeX EndNote

Kashwani, R., Kumari, A., and Sawhney, H. (2026) 'Comparative evaluation of antimicrobial effectiveness of nanosilver sol versus chlorhexidine tooth gel in reducing streptococcus mutans counts in saliva and plaque biofilm: An in vivo study', Global Journal of Prosthodontics Synergy, 1(1), pp. 19-24. https://doi.org/10.65929/GJPS.2026.1.1.004

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