Effect of chlorhexidine gluconate mouth wash on the plaque microflora in children using intra oral appliances.

The effect of 0.2% chlorhexidine mouth wash (Hexidine) on the plaque microflora was evaluated on children wearing intra oral removable appliances. Plaque samples were collected from the enamel sections, both primary and permanent, mounted on the removable appliances. These appliances were worn by 12 children for one week. Plaque was allowed to accumulate on the in situ test sites and on the adjacent natural dentition. At the end of the experimental period the plaque microflora associated with the enamel sections were compared with that obtained from lingual and interproximal areas of the lower molar teeth. It was also compared with a control group of 12 children without an appliance. In addition, the effect of 0.2% chlorhexidine mouth wash on the plaque microflora for the next 14 days was also determined on both the groups. Although some quantitative difference was found between the proportion of isolates obtained from the different enamel surfaces, it was not statistically significant. There was a statistically significant increase in the isolates of plaque microflora after the insertion of removable appliance in children which decreased significantly with the use of 10 ml of 0.2% chlorhexidine gluconate mouth wash twice a day. The study indicates that the primary and permanent tooth specimens mounted on the intra-oral device collected plaque microflora similar to that present on the adjacent natural dentition and that chlorhexidine gluconate mouth wash therapy is effective in reducing plaque microflora in children with removable appliances.