Mouthwash as a factor in controlling the formation of soft dental plaque in patients with orthodontic treatment

Abstract

Patients with dental braces are more likely to experience rapid accumulation of dental plaque and gum inflammation, therefore, antimicrobial mouthwashes that enhance daily oral hygiene can effectively remove and control bacterial plaque, improve gum health, and are safe preventive agents without side effects. The aim of the study was to evaluate the quantitative and qualitative composition of the soft dental plaque microbiocenosis under the influence of an alcohol-free oral hygiene product in patients undergoing orthodontic treatment. The study included patients undergoing orthodontic treatment. Samples were taken from the surface teeth of the maxilla. The obtained swabs from the surface of the upper molars were examined using a bacteriological method with subsequent identification: microscopic, cultural, and biochemical. Comparison of the effectiveness of an alcohol-free mouthwash in terms of changes in the quantitative and qualitative composition of microorganisms and the condition of periodontal tissues in patients undergoing stationary orthodontic therapy carried out after three months of use. The study revealed gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria and Candida fungi with a subsequent insignificant decrease in gram-negative bacteria (p = 0.999) after using the mouthwash. The results obtained showed changes in the taxonomic composition, namely, a decrease in the number of bacterial genera from 11 to 9. In addition to the mentioned results, changes were found at the population level of the soft dental plaque microbiota in patients who used the alcohol-free mouthwash for three months, namely, a decrease in the number of Streptococcus spp. α p(x ≤ T) = 0.9958, Propionibacterium spp. p(x ≤ T) = 0.9837, while changes in Streptococcus spp. β and Streptococcus spp. γ were minimal. A comparison of the population level of microorganisms before and after the use of mouthwash revealed significant differences (p < 0.05). Determination of the gingival index demonstrated a slight improvement in the periodontal status of the examined subjects. The conducted study is of great importance for the development of new strategies for the prevention and treatment of oral cavity diseases