title: Anti-Plaque Efficacy of Herbal and 0.2% Chlorhexidine Gluconate Mouthwash: A Comparative Study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Mouthwashes are an adjunct to, not a substitute for, regular brushing and flossing. Chlorohexidine is cationic bis-biguanide broad spectrum antiseptic with both anti-plaque and antibacterial properties. It has side-effects like brownish discoloration of teeth and dorsum of the tongue, taste perturbation, oral mucosal ulceration, etc. To compare the antiplaque efficacy of herbal and chlorohexidine gluconate mouthwash.
  
  
  METHODS
  A double-blinded parallel, randomized controlled clinical trial was conducted in the Department of Periodontics, MNR Dental College. Totally 100 preclinical dental students were randomized into three groups (0.2% chlorohexidine, Saline and herbal mouthwash). All the groups were made to refrain from their regular mechanical oral hygiene measures and were asked to rinse with given respective mouthwashes for 4 days. The gingival and plaque scores are evaluated on 1(st) day, and 5(th) day, and differences were compared statistically.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There was no significant difference in the gingival index (GI) and plaque index (PI) scores of the pre-rinsing scores of three groups and mean age of subjects in the three age groups, suggesting selected population for the three groups was homogenous. Mean GI and PI scores at the post rinsing stage were least for the Group A, followed by B and C. The difference of post rinsing PI and GI scores between Group A and Group B were statistically non-significant, which means anti-gingivitis and plaque inhibiting properties are similar for both.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Within the limitations of this study chlorhexidine gluconate and herbal mouthwash (Hiora) showed similar anti plaque activity with latter showing no side effects.
authors.affiliation: Professor, Department of Periodontics, MNR Dental College and Hospital, Sangareddy, Telangana, India.
authors.forename: K A Ravi Varma
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Prasad
authors.affiliation: Professor and Head, Department of Periodontics, Al Azhar Dental College, Thodupuzha, Kerala, India.
authors.forename: Sajil
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: John
authors.affiliation: Post Graduate, Department of Periodontics, MNR Dental College and Hospital, Sangareddy, Telangana, India.
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Deepika
authors.affiliation: Professor and Head, Department of Pedodontics, MNR Dental College and Hospital, Sangareddy, Telangana, India.
authors.forename: K S
authors.initials: KS
authors.lastname: Dwijendra
authors.affiliation: Professor, Department of Orthodontics, Vishnu Dental College, Bhimavaram, Andhra Pradesh, India.
authors.forename: Babu Ram
authors.initials: BR
authors.lastname: Reddy
authors.affiliation: Professor and Head, Department of Periodontics, HKDET Dental College, Humnabad, Karnataka, India.
authors.forename: Siddharth
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Chincholi
keywords: Chlorhexidine gluconate; disclosing agent; herbal mouth wash