Clinical effect of chlorhexidine mouthwashes on patients undergoing orthodontic treatment

Abstract

ABSTRACT
Background: This study compared the short-term clinical effect of 0.12% chlorhexidine digluconate as an adjunct to regular oral hygiene practices.
Material and method: This study done on 26 adolescent (ages 11 to 15 years) undergoing orthodontic treatment. Thirteen subjects were experimental (CHX) and other 13 were control (C) groups. Baselines values were recorded 10 days after prophylaxis which include plaque index PL.I, gingival index G.I gingival fluid flow (G.F.F.) and discoloration index (D.I). Both groups (CHX and C) received soft tooth brushes with instruction to brush twice daily as well as CHX mouth rise twice daily with 15ml for 60 seconds for experimental groups .Reevaluation were performed 1, 2, 3 months after baseline except for the D.I which was only assessed at 3 months.
Result: no difference between groups was seen at baseline for any of the parameters. The changes of PL.I, G.I. G.F.F. at 1, 2, 3 month were statistically significant in the case of experimental groups, as the changes in the months. The D.I shows high scores in the experimental group as compared to control group but they were not statistically significant.
Conclusion: The data shows that the use of CHX in addition to regular oral hygiene habits was effective in reducing plaque and gingivitis in adolescent undergoing orthodontic treatment.
Key words: Chlorhexidine, mouthwash, orthodontics. (J Bagh Coll Dentistry 2006; 18(1) 66-68)