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2026, Vol: 51, Issue: 2
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Topical fluoride application on Streptococcus mutans levels among youth with varying bacterial loads: A clinical study

Fighan Jalal Hussein, Heran Ibrahim Hassan, Zana Qadir Omer, Sarra Abdulrhman Jaffar.


Abstract
Objective: To evaluate the short-term efficacy of topical fluoride varnish on Streptococcus mutans levels among youth with varying baseline bacterial loads.
Methodology: This clinical pre–post interventional study was conducted at Khanzad Dental Institution, Erbil, Kurdistan Region, Iraq, involving 50 healthy volunteers aged 15–24 years. Participants received a single application of 5% sodium fluoride varnish. Stimulated saliva samples were collected at baseline, Day 1, Day 7, and Day 14. Streptococcus mutans levels were quantified using real-time PCR targeting the gtfB gene. Data were analyzed using the Friedman test with Wilcoxon post-hoc comparisons (α=0.05).
Results: At baseline, 32 participants (64%) exhibited very low bacterial counts, while 18 (36%) fell into low, medium, or high categories. By Day 7, copy numbers of Streptococcus mutans decreased markedly, with several individuals dropping from >50,000 to <5,000 gene copies. The Friedman test demonstrated a statistically significant difference across time points (χ² = 9.96, df = 3, p=0.018). By Day 14, a mild rebound was observed; however, counts remained below baseline levels in most participants. Regarding salivary buffer capacity (n=18), the “very low” category decreased from 4 (22.2%) at baseline to 0 after Day 1, while “normal” buffering increased from 2 (11.1%) to 4 (22.2%) by Day 14.
Conclusion: Topical fluoride varnish provides a short-term antimicrobial effect against S. mutans with modest improvements in salivary buffering. Periodic reapplication may be necessary to maintain microbial suppression in high-risk youth.

Key words: Streptococcus mutans, fluoride varnish, dental caries, youths, oral health.


 
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How to Cite this Article
Pubmed Style

Hussein FJ, Hassan HI, Omer ZQ, Jaffar SA. Topical fluoride application on Streptococcus mutans levels among youth with varying bacterial loads: A clinical study. RMJ. 2026; 51(2): 513-518. doi:10.5455/rmj.20260210042143

Web Style

Hussein FJ, Hassan HI, Omer ZQ, Jaffar SA. Topical fluoride application on Streptococcus mutans levels among youth with varying bacterial loads: A clinical study. https://www.rmj.org.pk/?mno=310011 [Access: May 27, 2026]. doi:10.5455/rmj.20260210042143

AMA (American Medical Association) Style

Hussein FJ, Hassan HI, Omer ZQ, Jaffar SA. Topical fluoride application on Streptococcus mutans levels among youth with varying bacterial loads: A clinical study. RMJ. 2026; 51(2): 513-518. doi:10.5455/rmj.20260210042143


Vancouver/ICMJE Style

Hussein FJ, Hassan HI, Omer ZQ, Jaffar SA. Topical fluoride application on Streptococcus mutans levels among youth with varying bacterial loads: A clinical study. RMJ. (2026), [cited May 27, 2026]; 51(2): 513-518. doi:10.5455/rmj.20260210042143


Harvard Style

Hussein, F. J., Hassan, . H. I., Omer, . Z. Q. & Jaffar, . S. A. (2026) Topical fluoride application on Streptococcus mutans levels among youth with varying bacterial loads: A clinical study. RMJ, 51 (2), 513-518. doi:10.5455/rmj.20260210042143


Turabian Style

Hussein, Fighan Jalal, Heran Ibrahim Hassan, Zana Qadir Omer, and Sarra Abdulrhman Jaffar. 2026. Topical fluoride application on Streptococcus mutans levels among youth with varying bacterial loads: A clinical study. Rawal Medical Journal, 51 (2), 513-518. doi:10.5455/rmj.20260210042143


Chicago Style

Hussein, Fighan Jalal, Heran Ibrahim Hassan, Zana Qadir Omer, and Sarra Abdulrhman Jaffar. "Topical fluoride application on Streptococcus mutans levels among youth with varying bacterial loads: A clinical study." Rawal Medical Journal 51 (2026), 513-518. doi:10.5455/rmj.20260210042143


MLA (The Modern Language Association) Style

Hussein, Fighan Jalal, Heran Ibrahim Hassan, Zana Qadir Omer, and Sarra Abdulrhman Jaffar. "Topical fluoride application on Streptococcus mutans levels among youth with varying bacterial loads: A clinical study." Rawal Medical Journal 51.2 (2026), 513-518. Print. doi:10.5455/rmj.20260210042143


APA (American Psychological Association) Style

Hussein, F. J., Hassan, . H. I., Omer, . Z. Q. & Jaffar, . S. A. (2026) Topical fluoride application on Streptococcus mutans levels among youth with varying bacterial loads: A clinical study. Rawal Medical Journal, 51 (2), 513-518. doi:10.5455/rmj.20260210042143


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