Evaluation of the Effectiveness of Probiotic Mouthwashes in Reducing Dental Plaque in Primary and Permanent Teeth: A Randomized Clinical Trial

Abstract

BACKGROUND  Due to the disadvantages of chemical mouthwashes, the search for an effective and safe anti-plaque agent has led to the emergence of probiotics. AIM To compare the effectiveness of nonchemical mouthwashes (probiotic) with chemical mouthwashes (fluoride) on plaque accumulation in orphan children after seven, 14, and 30 days of use. MATERIALS AND METHODS The present study was a triple-blind randomized controlled trial with two parallel groups (A and B), which included 30 healthy children. Each group included 15 children aged between eight and 10 years from Dar Al-Rahma Orphanage in Damascus, Syrian Arab Republic. Group A used 10 ml of probiotic mouthwash (ProbioClean) and group B used 10 ml of fluoride mouthwash (Colgate) for 60 seconds for 30 days. Turesky Modified Quigley-Hein (TMQH) plaque index was used in this study to record the values of plaque accumulation on days seven, 14, and 30. RESULTS  Mann-Whitney U test showed statistical significance between probiotics and fluoride mouthwashes on days 14 (p < 0.001) and 30 (p = 0.001), and there was no statistical significance on day seven (p = 0.934). CONCLUSION According to the results of this study, probiotic mouthwashes are considered an effective solution for maintaining oral health. However, probiotics are more effective in reducing plaque accumulation after a month of use.