Evaluation of the Effectiveness of Probiotic Mouthwashes in Reducing Dental Plaque in Primary and Permanent Teeth: A Randomized Clinical Trial

Background: Due to the disadvantages of chemical mouthwashes, the search for an effective and safe anti-plaque agent has led to the emergence of probiotics. Aim: To compare the effectiveness of nonchemical mouthwashes (probiotic) with chemical mouthwashes (fluoride) on plaque accumulation in orphan children after seven, 14, and 30 days of use. Materials and methods: The present study was a triple-blind randomized controlled trial with two parallel groups (A and B), which included 30 healthy children. Each group included 15 children aged between eight and 10 years from Dar Al-Rahma Orphanage in Damascus, Syrian Arab Republic. Group A used 10 ml of probiotic mouthwash (ProbioClean) and group B used 10 ml of fluoride mouthwash (Colgate) for 60 seconds for 30 days. Turesky Modified Quigley-Hein (TMQH) plaque index was used in this study to record the values of plaque accumulation on days seven, 14, and 30. Results: Mann-Whitney U test showed statistical significance between probiotics and fluoride mouthwashes on days 14 (p < 0.001) and 30 (p = 0.001), and there was no statistical significance on day seven (p = 0.934). Conclusion: According to the results of this study, probiotic mouthwashes are considered an effective solution for maintaining oral health. However, probiotics are more effective in reducing plaque accumulation after a month of use.