Comparative Assessment of Antimicrobial Activity of Propolis and Chlorhexidine on Salivary Isolates of Candida albicans and Streptococcus mutans in Children with Severe Early Childhood Caries: An In Vitro Study

IntroductIonDental caries is a significant menace in third-world countries like India.It is the single most prevalent chronic childhood disease, affecting 60-90% of all children. 1,2Early childhood caries (ECC) is a persistent, infectious, transmissible, complex disease with a very intricate etiology correlated with early colonization and high quantities of cariogenic bacteria.It encases a direct tribulation of pain, suffering, and poor overall health. 3Any trace of smooth surface caries in children below the age of three is suggestive of severe ECC (S-ECC). 4treptococcus mutans and S. sobrinus are the primary etiological agents in the initiation of dental caries, although C. albicans and Lactobacilli play a part in the development of ECC as these are predominant microorganisms found in dental plaque.It causes demineralization because of its high adherence to the tooth surface and the production of acids following fermentation. 5,6Caries prevention research has focused on methods for lowering or annihilating cariogenic microbes from the mouth.Among the various antibacterial agents, chlorhexidine is considered the "gold standard" antimicrobial agent used to prevent S-ECC.It is a wide-spectrum bisbiguanide that has antibacterial activity and is more combative on gram-positive microbes. 5,7Depending on the dosage, it can be used as a bacteriostatic or bactericidal agent.However, it has some possible side effects, such as brownish discoloration of teeth,