Effect of Orthodontic Appliances on the Oral Carriage of Streptococcus Mutans and Candida Species

Objectives: To evaluate the prevalence and estimate counts of Streptococcus mutans and Candida species and to compare the efficacy of manual and electronic brushes on their count reduction.

Materials and Method: Thirty patients undergoing orthodontic treatment in the Department of Orthodontics, Santosh Dental College and 30 patients without orthodontic appliances (as control) were selected to determine the counts of S.mutans in plaque samples and counts of Candida species on Sabaroud's Dextrose Agar. All 30 subjects with appliances were then divided into two Groups: Group 1 was assigned Manual brushes and Group 2 were assigned Electronic brushes and both the groups were evaluated for the counts at the end of 1st, 2nd and 3rd month.

Results: S. mutans counts were high in 80% (24/30) and Candida species were found to be 16% (5/ 30) in patients with orthodontic appliances as compared to controls. No significant reduction in counts was observed in patients while using manual brushes. However, in patients using electronic brushes their counts were markedly reduced.

Conclusion: There occurs a significant increase in S.mutans and Candida counts after appliance insertion, hence the use of manual brushes is insufficient for satisfactory maintenance of oral hygiene in orthodontic patients and reduction in their counts by using electronic brushes should be related to the reduced risk of oral diseases in such patients.