Two percent chitosan mouthwash: A microbiological and clinical comparative study

Abstract

Background/purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate the microbiological and clinical effects of a chitosan (CH) mouth rinse on plaque inhibition. Materials and methods: Thirty-six healthy participants were recruited. The following clinical data were recorded: a plaque index (PI), gingival index (GI), Quickley–Hein plaque index (QPI), and probing depth (PD). Volunteers were given oral hygiene (OH) instruction and trained on scaling and professional tooth cleaning (PTC). After the final PTC, volunteers were randomly allocated into three groups. Group A rinsed with 2% CH, group B rinsed with 0.2% chlorhexidine digluconate (CHX), and group C rinsed with 2% CH+0.2% CHX. Plaque samples were collected and assayed for Streptococcus mutans, Candida albicans, and enterococci. Results: After a non-brushing period, the full-mouth PI and QPI values between the CH and CHX+CH groups differed significantly. A higher PI score at sampling sites was seen in the CH group, but no significant differences were observed between groups. The S. mutans and C. albicans levels were statistically significant in each group on Days 0 and 4. Differences of C. albicans levels between groups were found to be significant; however, no statistical differences were obtained for S. mutans or enterococci levels among the groups at the various time intervals. Conclusion: We conclude that further investigations are needed to evaluate the potential value of CH as an effective antiplaque mouth rinse.

Keywords

• Candida albicans
• chitosan
• dental plaque
• drug delivery system
• Streptococcus mutans