SUSCEPTIBILITIES OF ACTINOBACILLUS-ACTINOMYCETEMCOMITANS BIOFILMS TO ORAL ANTISEPTICS

The suseptibilities of Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans cultures, grown as 1- or 3-day-old biofilms or as planktonic suspensions, to con centrations of chlorhexidine digluconate, cetylpyridinium chloride or triclosan used in commercial mouthwashes were compared. Three-day biof ilms were the most resistant form of the organism and chlorhexidine wa s the most active antiseptic. Comparison of solutions of the pure anti bacterial agent with commercial products containing the same concentra tion of antiseptic showed little difference in in-vitro activities. Th e results emphasise that the testing of antimicrobial mouthwashes shou ld be performed on bacteria grown as biofilms.