"EFFECT OF CHLORHEXIDINE VARNISH MOUTHGUARD ON THE LEVELS OF SALIVARY MUTANS COUNT AND SALIVARY pH IN EARLY CHILDHOOD CARIES PATIENTS- AN IN VIVO STUDY".

Objectives: To assess the effect of chlorhexidine varnish mouthguard appliances on salivary MS Count in Early Childhood Caries patients.

To assess the effect of chlorhexidine varnish mouthguard appliances on Salivary pH in Early Childhood Caries patients.

Study design: This is an in vivo experimental, between group study.

Results: There was linear increase in salivary pH levels and significant reduction in MS levels in experimental group when compared to control group at baseline, after a week, 1 month, 3 months time interval (p<0.001).

Conclusions: Chlorhexidine varnish mouthgaurds proved to be effective in preventing the drop in salivary pH levels and reducing the Mutans streptococci counts significantly in patients categorized under ECC up to a period of 3 months.