"COMPARISON OF EFFECTIVENESS OF TWO HERBAL MOUTHRINSES (GREEN TEA AND GUAVA) ON PLAQUE AND GINGIVAL SCORES AMONG 12-15 YEARS OLD SCHOOL CHILDREN IN BELGAUM CITY-A RANDOMIZED CONTROLLED FIELD TRIAL"
Dental caries and periodontal diseases, the two arch criminals of oral cavity, are essentially caused by the micro organisms present in dental plaque. Chlorhexidine is recognized as the primary agent for chemical plaque control. But it cannot be used on a long term basis because of various side effects like brown discoloration, taste perturbation, oral mucosal lesions, parotid swelling and sometimes unacceptable taste. SO. an effective alternative to Chlorhexidine with all the good qualities and its unpleasant effects is highly desirable . Neem ,Babul, Miswak ,Tulsi ,curry leaves ,mint. Turmeric .Aloevera gel have been used in India for thousands of years as the preferred tool for maintaining healthy teeth and gums. Hence an attempt is being made in this study to compare the relative effectiveness of green tea and guava mouthwashes on plaque and gingival scores METHOD : Two stage random sampling was done. One high school was randomly selected from the high schools of Belgaum city. All the children aged between 12-15 years were screened for inclusion and exclusion criteria. From the eligible candidates, a sample of 90 was randomly"selected. These 90 participants were randomized into 3 groups- 30 subjects in each group. Baseline data for plaque index, gingival index was recorded for all the children selected. All the children were administered green tea , guava and Chlorhexidine mouthwashes according to the group they were assigned . twice daily for 21 days and again plaque index, gingival index were recorded. RESULT : The mean baseline plaque scores and gingival scores in the Green Tea Mouthwash group was 1.512{±0.4I0) and 1.534 (+0.417) ,for the Guava " Mouthwash group was l.573(+0.285 ) and l.590(+0.269) and for the Chlorhexidine Mouthwash group was 1.416(±0.242 ) and 1.446(±0.223). plaque scores and gingival scores reduced after 21 days in ihe Green Tea Mouthwash group 0.580(+0.291) and 0.463 (+0-181) .for the Gtiava Mouthwash group was 0.753(±0.312) an
