Dose–response evaluation of a novel essential oil against Mutans streptococci in vivo

Research has demonstrated the need for identifying a novel antimicrobial agent for topical use in the pediatric dental population. The essential oil of Lippia sidoides Cham. (LSO) has been described as having favorable biological properties, and a broad in vitro and in vivo antimicrobial spectrum ag... Full description

Research has demonstrated the need for identifying a novel antimicrobial agent for topical use in the pediatric dental population. The essential oil of Lippia sidoides Cham. (LSO) has been described as having favorable biological properties, and a broad in vitro and in vivo antimicrobial spectrum against bacteria and yeast infections. Our aim was to determine a dose and formulation of LSO, acceptable for clinical testing in a pediatric population with dental caries. Thirty-seven 6–12-year old children were selected to participate in this study, and randomly allocated to receive different concentrations of either a gel (0.8%, 1%, 1.2% and 1.4%) or a mouth rinse (0.6%, 0.8%, 1% and 1.2%) formulation. The highest percentage MS reduction was observed with 0.8% mouth rinse and 1.4% gel. The efficacy of these concentrations was compared with a Thy–Car mixture formulated as a mouth rinse and gel treatments in 11 children. Saliva was collected after a single application of the antimicrobial treatment to establish effectiveness against MS. Both rinse (p