The Effect of Gargling with Aqueous Extract of Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) on the Oral Hygiene Status of Patients Wearing Fixed Orthodontic Appliance: A Clinical Study

Background: During the course of fixed orthodontic therapy, it is difficult to maintain high standard oral hygiene care by mechanical tooth cleaning only. Therefore, mouthwashes are commonly used as adjunct for mechanical tooth cleaning. Most of the mouthwashes are chemicals and have a wide range of side effects. Plant extracts have stood the test of time as safe inexpensive and available remedy for providing general health care. Objective: The present study attempted to evaluate the efficacy of gargling with aqueous extract of Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) on the oral hygiene status of patients wearing fixed orthodontic appliances. Methods: Eleven male patients undergoing orthodontic treatment with fixed appliances were recruited in the study. All patients were given the same oral hygiene regimen during the study period. Clinical evaluation of OPI (orthodontic plaque index) and salivary streptococcus mutans count were recorded at the first activation visit (three weeks after placement of the orthodontic appliances) which considered the baseline visit and after one week of gargling with the extract. The data were statistically analyzed with SPSS (version 21) using Paired Samples t-test. Result: The results of the statistical analysis revealed that, there were highly significant reductions in both OPI and salivary streptococcus mutans count after one week gargling with aqueous extract of Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale). Conclusion: The present finding concluded that, aqueous extract of Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) could be use as a promising ingredient in manufacturing mouthwashs and other dental supplies that contribute in maintaining good oral hygiene during the course of orthodontic treatment with fixed appliances.