Inhibitory effect of sodium fluoride and chlorhexidine on the growth of oral lactobacilli.

The accumulation of microorganisms in dental plaque is related to the etiology of caries and periodontal disease, with a high prevalence worldwide. The prophylactic measures include the use of chemical agents as NaF and chlorhexidine. Lactic acid bacteria are members of the normal microbiota of the oral cavity being discussed with regard to their beneficial or detrimental effect in this environment.

Hydroxylapatite beads as an experimental model to study the adhesion of lactic acid bacteria from the oral cavity to hard tissues.

The oral environment contains many different types of microorganisms, including both Gram-negative and Gram-positive cocci, bacilli, and spirochetes. From the ecological point of view, the oral cavity is a perfect niche for certain bacteria such as lactobacilli because they interact, forming different types of communities. Lactobacilli have been associated with the generation of caries in some reports, secondary to the cariogenic Streptococcus.