Comparison of Two Routinely Used Mouthwashes for Plaque Control Among Young Adults: An Observational Study.

Area of Science:

• Oral Health
• Preventive Dentistry
• Microbiology

Background:

• Mouth rinses offer convenient delivery of antiplaque agents, reaching areas inaccessible to toothbrushes.
• Existing research on the antibacterial effects of mouth rinses like Chlorhexidine and Listerine in young adults is limited and varied.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare the effectiveness of different mouth rinses in reducing plaque and gingival irritation among schoolchildren.
• To evaluate the adjunctive role of mouth rinses in oral hygiene practices.

Main Methods:

• A comparative study involving 240 schoolchildren divided into three groups (A, B, C).
• Plaque index (Turesky modification of Quigley-Hein plaque index) was assessed before and during a one-month treatment period.
• Group A received a placebo, Group B received a phenol-based mouthwash, and Group C received a 0.2% chlorhexidine mouthwash.

Main Results:

• Both phenol and chlorhexidine mouth rinses (Groups B and C) showed significantly lower plaque scores compared to the placebo (Group A) from the second week onwards.
• Group C (chlorhexidine) demonstrated a statistically larger reduction in plaque scores than Group B (phenol).

Conclusions:

• Mouth rinses containing 0.2% chlorhexidine or phenol are effective in reducing plaque development and gingival irritation.
• These mouth rinses serve as a valuable adjunct to routine teeth cleaning for improving oral hygiene in children.