Rob (Kentucky) on 01/08/2026

Source: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15080351/ Jan-Feb 2004 (used Povidone-Iodine)

Abstract
Purpose: The purpose of this pilot project was to determine the effect of a 10% povidone-iodine solution on plaque Streptococcus mutans and on incidence of new caries in young children following dental rehabilitation under general anesthesia.

Methods: Twenty-five children ages 2 to 7 years, scheduled for dental treatment under general anesthesia, were enrolled. Children in the experimental group (N = 13) had povidone-iodine applied 3 times at 2-month intervals. Control children (N = 12) had no treatment. Plaque samples were taken from all children at baseline, 6 months and cultured for total bacteria and S mutans. Dental examinations were conducted at baseline, 6 months, and 1 year.

Results: Experimental and control children had similar dietary habits, caries experience, and S mutans levels at baseline. All children's S mutans counts decreased significantly at 6 months (P = .003). The difference between the 2 groups was not significant (P = .58). At 1 year, 5 of 8 children in the control group had new caries compared to 2 of 11 children in the experimental group (P = .06). Povidone-iodine was well accepted by participating families.

Conclusions: Extensive one-time restorative dental treatment resulted in a significant suppression S mutans levels at 6 months. Further exploration of the role of povidone-iodine in caries management is indicated.

Suppression of Streptococcus mutans in the Mouths of Humans by a Dental Prophylaxis and Topically applied Iodine May 1979 (used Iodine Tincture)

Source: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/22852608_Suppression_of_Streptococcus_mutans_in_the_Mouths_of_Humans_by_a_Dental_Prophylaxis_and_Topically-applied_Iodine

Abstract

A prophylaxis followed by three topical applications of an iodine-potassium iodide solution significantly reduced the levels of Streptococcus mutans in fissure and approximal plaques and in saliva. Reductions persisted 20--24 weeks after treatment in salivary and approximal samples. A prophylaxis alone exerted a small and temporary reduction of S. mutans in occlusal fissure plaque, but did not reduce the levels of this organism in approximal plaque or in saliva. A significant relationship existed between the levels of S. mutans in saliva and the proportions of this organism in plaque. The dorsum of the tongue does not appear to constitute a significant reservoir for S. mutans following disinfecting procedures.

Treatment

Iodine application-Immediately following the prophylaxis, the teeth of individuals to be treated with iodine were rinsed with water and dried. One-half of the dentition was isolated with cotton rolls, and an aqueous solution containing 2.0% I2 and 2.0 KI (W/V) in 53% glycerin was applied to all approximal surfaces using a blunt-tipped syringe to facilitate distribution of the iodine solution. Iodine solution was applied to the remaining tooth surfaces using saturated cotton swabs. Fresh solution was continuously applied to the teeth for a total treatment period of 4-5 minutes. The cotton rolls were then removed, the teeth rinsed with water, and the opposite side of the mouth treated in a similar manner. A total of 2-3ml of iodine solution was used for each treatment. The treated individuals received two additional iodine applications without the prophylaxis 3 and 5 days later.

Results and Discussion

The data obtained indicate that a thorough dental prophylaxis followed by 3 applications of iodine solution caused a significant and long-lasting reduction in the S. mutans populations recoverable from dental plaques and saliva of young adults. S. mutans could not be detected in any samples of plaque shortly after the iodine applications, but the organism was isolated from occlusal plaques one week later. However, its proportions in occlusal plaques remained significantly below original levels for 4-6 weeks following treatment. It is not known whether the re-appearance of S. mutans in these sites represented an outgrowth of a small number of viable organisms which escaped the iodine solution, or whether these sites had become re-colonized by S. mutans cells present in saliva. The latter possibility was suggested by the findings of Svanberg and Loesche.20 They showed that initially sterile artificial fissures placed in the mouths of humans often became infected with S. mutans, provided that the salivary concentrations of this organism were 103 per ml or higher. Levels of 103 cfu of S. mutans per ml of saliva were, in fact, present in all subjects studied a few weeks after the iodine applications (Table 4a).

The most notable and perhaps most clinically significant finding of the present study was the marked and persistent reduction in the S. mutans populations present in plaques on approximal tooth surfaces.

The proportions of S. mutans recovered from these sites remained significantly lower than pre-treatment values for up to 24 weeks following iodine application. These findings are in agreement with those of a previous study concerning the effect of topically-applied and they contrast with effects observed following application of fluoride solutions and vancomycin preparations. These agents exerted a greater effect on the S. mutans populations in fissures than those on approximal surfaces. This effect has been attributed to the fissures retaining the antibacterial agents for a longer period of time (in otherwords contact time), which increased exposure of the resident micro-flora.4 Collectively, these observations suggest that preparations containing iodine and another antibacterial agent, such as fluoride, might produce additive or even synergistic effects upon the S. mutans populations on teeth.