EFFECT OF CHLORHEXIDINE AND TOOTHBRUSHING ON THE PRESENCE OF BACTERIAON GINGIVAL AND BUCCAL EPITHELIAL-CELLS

Swabs of buccal and gingival epithelial cells from healthy young adult donors were washed in physiological saline solution, smeared on glass slides and stained with acridine orange. The presence of bacteria att ached onto epithelial cells was examined under a fluorescence microsco pe. Four hours after a chlorhexidine rinse, the number of cells with > 50 attached bacteria had almost completely vanished. The degree of ba cterial colonization seemed to re-establish at a level exceeding the b aseline. One week after chlorhexidine treatment the degree of coloniza tion was still over the control level. Toothbrushing with a convention al toothpaste reduced immediately the number of cells with > 50 bacter ia. The colonization had re-established to the pre-washing levels at t he buccal sites at 1 h and at the gingival sites at 4 h after toothbru shing. A method for the evaluating of the antimicrobial power of oral hygiene products is presented.