Year : 2019

Volume : Volume 10

Issue : Issue 2

Address for correspondence :
Dr. Sweta R. Gandhi.
sweta.toshniwal@gmail.com

Abstract

Background:  Dental caries and periodontal diseases are essentially caused by the micro organisms present in dental plaque. Chlorhexidine is recognized as the primary agent for chemical plaque control. But it cannot be used on a long term basis because of various side effects like brown discoloration, taste perturbation, oral mucosal lesions, parotid swelling and sometimes unacceptable taste. An effective alternative to Chlorhexidine with all the good qualities and its unpleasant effects is highly desirable. Hence an attempt is being made in this study to compare the relative effectiveness of green tea and guava mouthwashes on plaque and gingival scores. Materials and Methods: Two stage random sampling was done. One high school was randomly selected from the high schools of Belgaum city. All the children aged between 12-15 years were screened. A sample of 90 was randomly selected. These 90 participants were randomized into 3 groups- 30 subjects in each group.  Baseline data for plaque index, gingival index was recorded for all the children selected. All the children were administered green tea, guava and Chlorhexidine mouthwashes according to the group they were assigned, twice daily for 21 days and again plaque index, gingival index were recorded. Results: The mean baseline plaque scores and gingival scores  in the Green Tea Mouthwash group was 1.512(+0.410) and  1.534 (+0.417) ,for  the Guava  Mouthwash group  was 1.573(+0.285 ) and 1.590(+0.269) and for the Chlorhexidine Mouthwash group was 1.416(+0.242 ) and 1.446(+0.223). plaque scores and gingival scores reduced  after 21 days  in the Green Tea Mouthwash group   0.580(+0.291) and  0.463 (+0.181) ,for  the Guava  Mouthwash group  was 0.753(+0.312) and 0.647(+0.268) and for the Chlorhexidine Mouthwash group was 0.620(+0.174 ) and 0.570(+0.126) which was statistically significant. Conclusion: Twice daily rinsing with green tea, guava and Chlorhexidine (0.12%) mouthwashes for 21 days caused significant reductions in plaque and gingival indices. Green tea and guava mouthwashes can be recommended for use among general population and other high risk groups.

Keywords: plaque, green tea, guava, mouthwashes.