Evaluation of Teucrium Polium Mouthwash Effect on Salivary Streptococcus mutans Count

Herbal extracts have been used in disease treatment for many years. Although in traditional medicine, Teucrium polium is used in treatment of inflammatory conditions, rheumatism and ulcers, there are no studies about this herb in dental field as a mouthwash. The aim of thisstudy was to evaluate Teucrium polium mouthwash effect on salivary Streptococcus mutans count as the main microorganism responsible for dental caries. In this crossover double-blind randomized clinical trial, 22 dental students participated and were randomly divided into two equal groups. Teucrium polium and placebo mouthwashes were prepared. The salivary Streptococcus mutans counts were determined in participants. The first group used Teucrium polium and the second group used placebo for two weeks and the salivary samples of both groups were collected again. After a wash out period of three weeks, the first group used placebo and the second group used Teucrium polium. In each group, the salivary counts of Streptococcus mutans were determined before and 2 weeks after the use of mouthwashes. Data were analyzed using paired t-test and independent two-sample t-test. was considered as statistically significant. There was no significant difference between the colony counts before the use of mouthwashes in two groups (P>0.050). Use of Teucrium polium mouthwash significantly decreased the number of Streptococcus mutans colonies in comparsion with the placebo group (P<0.010). Considering the limitations of this study, Teucrium polium mouthwash may decrease the number of Streptococcus mutans colonies in saliva.