Year : 2019

Volume : Volume 10

Issue : Issue 1

Address for correspondence :
Dr. Chandrika Dubey.
ChandrikaDubey@gmail.com

Abstract

Background:  When basic oral hygiene is poor, orthodontic appliances create areas of plaque stagnation, especially around brackets, bands, wires, and other attachments; this facilitates the development of white spot lesions. Probiotics act by competitively inhibiting the pathogenic bacteria because they have greater adhesion to the tissues. Chlorhexidine is often used as an active ingredient in mouthwash designed to reduce dental plaque and oral bacteria.  Aim & Objective: The objectives of the study is to evaluate and compare the effects of the topical application of probiotic toothpaste and chlorhexidine mouthwash on the Streptococcus Mutans levels in the plaque of orthodontic patients hence improving the oral micro-flora of oral cavity by competitive inhibition of Streptococcus Mutans in plaque present around brackets.  Material & Method: The study consists of thirty randomly selected patients having orthodontic treatment. The study was initiated on a selected sample of 30 patients who were undergoing fixed orthodontic treatment. The patients were divided into three groups - Control Group, Probiotic Toothpaste Group & Chlorhexidine Mouthwash Group. Samples were collected at two times: before the study began (Phase 1) and after thirty days (Phase 2). Conclusion: Chlorhexidine Mouthwash and Probiotic Toothpaste both were efficient in reducing Streptococcus Mutans in plaque around orthodontic brackets when compared to control group

Keywords: White Spot Lesion, Probiotics, Chlorhexidine, Streptococcus Mutans.