Effect of mouthrinse and oil pulling therapy on oral streptococcus mutans count in orthodontic patients with fixed appliances

Abstract

Background: Orthodontic treatment with fixed appliances based on brackets, bands and archwires creates numerous plaque retention sites and thus increases a patient’s risk of developing caries and inflammatory reactions in gingival tissue. Patient with fixed appliances must follow very rigid oral hygiene protocols to avoid such effects. Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of mouthrinse and oil pulling therapy on oral Streptococcus mutans in orthodontic patients with fixed appliances. Material and method: Data were obtained from 60 orthodontic patients with a mean age of 18-35years, who were being treated with orthodontic fixed appliance in both arches at the Orthodontic Clinic, Faculty of Dentistry, Mongolian National University of Health Science. All 60 patients randomly divided into three groups with 20 patient in each group as follows: Group I: water (control), Group II: Splat mouthrinse, Group III: oil pulling. They were instructed to use the allocated mouthrinses twice daily after brushing for a period of 1 month. Streptococcus mutans count were assessed at baseline and the 30th day. Result: Statistically significant reduction in Streptococcus mutans count was seen in both Splat mouthrinsing and oil pulling groups compared with control group (p<0.0001). Conclusion: Oil pulling has a significant effect like mouthwash on reducing the Streptococcus mutans colony count for orthodontic patient with fixed appliances.