Outlook for Hibitane in dental caries

The association between S. mutans and dental caries in humans has focused the interest on the possiblity to suppress or eliminate this microorganism from the oral cavity. In this respect chlorhexidine seems to be a valuable adjunct, since S. mutans is highly sensitive to the drug. In hamsters and rats infected with S. mutans topical applications of chlorhexidine have been highly effective in lowering the caries activity. In long-term studies in students, a certain caries inhibiting effect has also been demonstrated. The decrease in the prevalence of S. mutans by chlorhexidine treatment suggests that the drug can be used for directed and controlled antimicrobial therapy in subjects highly infected with S. mutans.