A randomized field trial to determine the effect of a mouthrinse formulated from ethanol extract of terminaliachebula fruit on salivary parameters among 12-15 year old school children of Belgaum City, India

Abstract

Background and objectives: Dental caries is a multifactorial disease involving interplay of numerous factors such as salivary Streptococcus mutans, flow rate, buffer capacity, pH etc. Hence any therapeutic agent influencing these parameters can be effectively used to interrupt the dental caries process. Thus the present study was conducted to determine the effect of mouthrinse formulated from ethanol extract of Terminalia chebula fruit on salivary parameters. Materials & Method: Ethanol extract of Terminalia chebula fruit was used to formulate the mouthrinse. Sixty randomly selected children participated in the study. Salivary parameters were assessed at baseline, and at various intervals post rinsing. Data was analyzed using ANCOVA and Wilcoxon matched pairs test. Results: No significant variation was observed in the salivary parameters between the two groups at baseline and 5 minutes postrinsing. There was an increase of 5.7%, 4.69%, 3.39% in salivary flow rate, pH and buffer capacity respectively in the study group at 60 minutes as compared to baseline values. Conclusions: Mouthrinse of Ethanol extract of Terminalia chebula has a significant effect on salivary parameters which can help counter the demineralization process.

Keywords

• ethanol extract
• salivary flow rate
• salivary ph
• salivary buffer capacity
• terminalia chebula