Caries management for institutionalized elders using fluoride and chlorhexidine mouthrinses

Objectives: The effectiveness of either a 0.2% neutral sodium fluoride (NaF) solution or a 0.12% chlorhexidine (CHX) solution as a daily mouthrinse for controlling caries was tested against a placebo rinse in this 2-year randomized clinical trial among elders in long-term care (LTC) facilities. Methods: At baseline, 369 recruits were examined clinically for caries and allocated randomly to one of the mouthrinse groups. Results: After 2 years, 116 participants remained in the trial. The prevalence of caries and the dental status of the groups were similar at baseline and after 2 years. On average, each group lost less than one tooth per person, but the fluoride group compared with the others had significantly less caries and significantly more reversals from carious to sound dental surfaces at the end of the trial. Conclusions: We conclude that 0.2% neutral NaF mouthrinse every day does reduce the incidence of caries among elders in LTC facilities.