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Clinical reduction of S. mutans in pre-school children using a novel liquorice root extract lollipop: a pilot study

European Archives of Paediatric Dentistry volume 11, pages 274–278 (2010)Cite this article

Abstract

AIM: To determine the clinical effect of a simple herbal caries-prevention protocol aimed at reduction of Streptococcus mutans (SM) in young children in a pre-school setting. STUDY DESIGN: Proof-of-principle pilot study. METHODS: To prove the concept this pilot study delivered a clinical intervention using sugar-free lollipops containing liquorice root extract. Regimen: Supervised herbal lollipops, twice daily for 3 weeks. Species-specific monoclonal antibody testing of saliva provided SM counts. Children were grouped in high, medium and low caries-risk using baseline SM-levels as risk-indicator. Bacterial numbers at baseline, during intervention, and for 9 weeks post-intervention were compared. STATISTICS: SM levels were analysed using GEE modelling. RESULTS: High-risk children showed the steepest early decrease in mean log-SM (P<. 001). At end of a follow-up period, the log-SM decrease moved the high-risk group down to moderate-risk level. High-risk children showed a decrease in fitted mean SM% not seen in other groups (P<. 001). The decrease reached a nadir around 22-days post-intervention. Twice-daily use of herbal lollipop significantly reduced both number and relative percent of SM in high-risk children. SM numbers were reduced for 22 days after the last lollipop, stabilized and then began to rebound. CONCLUSION: A potential for simple effective caries-prevention for high-risk children has been demonstrated. Encouraging results warrant randomised clinical trials (RCT) of liquorice root in herbal lollipops or alternative modes of delivery.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Cariology, Restorative Sciences and Endodontics, School of Dentistry, University of Michigan, 1100 N University, Ann Arbor, Michigan, 48109, USA

    M. C. Peters

  2. School of Public Health, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor

    T. M. Braun

  3. Dental Research and Data Institute, Delta Dental of MI, OH, IN, Okemos, Michigan, USA

    J. A. Tallman & J. J. Jacobson

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  1. M. C. Peters
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  2. J. A. Tallman
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  3. T. M. Braun
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  4. J. J. Jacobson
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Correspondence to M. C. Peters.

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Peters, M.C., Tallman, J.A., Braun, T.M. et al. Clinical reduction of S. mutans in pre-school children using a novel liquorice root extract lollipop: a pilot study. Eur Arch Paediatr Dent 11, 274–278 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03262762

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Key words

  • Streptococcus mutans
  • antibacterial agent
  • dental caries
  • early childhood caries