Abstract:

Background:During orthodontic treatment, the development of white spot lesions is almost inevitable when oral hygiene is poor. The present study was conducted to assess effectiveness of an essential oil mouth rinse in improving oral health in orthodontic patients. Materials & Methods: 60 patients undergoing orthodontic treatment of both genders were divided into 2 groups. Group I patients underwent brushing and flossing and group II underwent brushing, flossing and use of listerine. Parameters such as bleeding (BI), gingival (GI) and plaque indices (PI) that provided baseline values (T1) were recorded at baseline and at 3 months (T2) and 6 months (T3). Results: Group I had 14 males and 16 females and group II had 15 males and 15 females. Bleeding index at baseline was 0.183 and 0.28, at 3 months was 0.141 and 0.86 and at 6 months was 0.261 and 1.04 in group I and II respectively. The marginal gingival index at baseline was 0.781 and 0.891, at 3 months was 0.892 and 1.43 and at 6 months was 0.961 and 1.92 in group I and II respectively. Plaque index was 0.793 and 0.832 at baseline, 0.931 and 1.781 at 3 months and 1.051 and 2.171 at 6 months in group I and II respectively. The difference was significant (P< 0.05). Conclusion: Listerine found to be effective in reducing plaque and gingivitis development in orthodontic patients.

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