Background:With the increasing rate of oral diseases, the global necessity of effective and economical products for its prevention and treatment has intensified.Aim:This study was to compare the effectiveness of two oral hygiene aids: Chewing stick and manual toothbrush, for plaque removal and gingival health after one month of a randomized clinical trial.Materials and Methods:Dental students (age 18-22 years) of a public sector dental hospital were recruited. Sample size was determined using the American Dental Association guidelines. Participants were randomized into two interventional groups and provided with either chewing sticks or toothbrushes. Pre- and post-intervention examinations were executed by two blind and calibrated examiners using plaque and gingival dental indices. Statistical analysis included descriptive statistics, paired t-test, and two sample independent t-tests.Results:Fifty subjects were recruited with mean age 20 ± 0.66 years (80% were females and 20% were males). Except for the mean plaque scores of toothbrush users (which increased at post-intervention examination), all other scores showed reduction. In contrast to the final mean gingival scores, a significant difference (P = < 0.0001) in the final mean plaque score was observed for the two respective interventional groups.Conclusion:Chewing stick has revealed parallel and at times greater mechanical and chemical cleansing of oral tissues as compared to a toothbrush.

Background: Dental composites are aesthetic direct restorative material. However, the effect of mouthwashes on the durability of the material is controversial. This study evaluated and compared the influence of mouthwash composition on the surface hardness of nanofilled (Z350XT) and microhybrid (P60) resin composites. Methods: Comparative in-vitro study was conducted over 6 months at Multan Medical & Dental College. Sixty-four disc-shape specimens of each {nanofilled (Z350XT) and microhybrid (P60)} resin composite were prepared and stored in distilled water at 37°C for 24 hours. The baseline microhardness reading (To) was recorded by Vickers micro-hardness tester. Samples were then randomly divided into four groups (n=16) and stored in Listerine Cool Mint, Colgate Plax, Clinica and distilled water (control). The hardness test was repeated after 12 hours and 24 hours of storage. Results: Nanocomposite (Z350XT) had statistically (p<0.01) higher surface hardness. A significant reduction (p≤0.05) in microhardness was observed after immersion of samples in mouthwashes. The reduction in surface hardness was dependent on the immersion time and composition of mouthwashes. Listerine Cool Mint (alcohol-based mouthwash) had greatest degradation effect. Conclusion: Mouth rinses negatively impacted the surface microhardness of the tested resin-based materials. Alcohol-based mouthwashes had greater potential for reducing microhardness. Microhybrid composite appears to be a more suitable material for restoring teeth in patients accustomed to using regular mouthwashes.

diet but the increased glucose level in blood and saliva is the major predisposing factor behind the process of dental caries [7]. Aside from calcium and phosphates that help remineralize tooth enamel, saliva also contains components that can directly attack cariogenic bacteria. The absence of copious saliva may result in minimizing buffer activity which promotes remineralization of tooth structures early in the caries process and resulting in substantial increase in the caries risk [11]. Epidemiological studies have reported that elevated levels of calcium, phosphate, and fluoride in plaque may slow down the process of caries development. Previous studies also suggest that dental caries are produced due to the presence organic acid in dental plaque. Effect of low pH also contributes to this fact because it causes the dissolution of minerals calcium, phosphate, and fluoride [12-14]. The other important predisposing factor for the development of dental caries in diabetic patients is the poor glycemic control which leads to the impaired functioning of salivary glands and ultimately resulting in dryness of mouth [15]. Carie protective factors are biologic or therapeutic measures that can be used to prevent or arrest pathologic challenges posed by caries risk factors. Best practices dictate that once the clinician has identified patient's caries risk (low, moderate, high or extreme), a therapeutic and/or preventive plan may be implemented. Previous literature has reported an increased frequency of dental caries attributing to the existence of poor metabolic control [16-19]. However the purported increased risk of dental caries in relation to certain factors such as poor oral hygiene, lack of blood glucose control, unhealthy diet pattern,

The new modalities in surgical phacoemulsification techniques are intended to restore the visual acuity and have minimized postoperative astigmatism. Objective: To evaluate the difference in the raised intraocular pressure after phacoemulsification and insertion of an intraocular lens using 2% hydroxymethyl cellulose and 1% sodium hyaluronate as viscoelastic. Methods: This group comparative study was performed in the Department of Ophthalmology, Khyber Teaching Hospital, Peshawar for six months. A thorough slit lamp examination was executed to confirm intraocular inflammation or proof of prior intraocular surgery. For glaucoma, Gonioscopy was performed along with proper fundus examination. Patients in Group 1 received 2% Hydroxymethyl Cellulose while in Group 2 patients received 1% Sodium Hyaluronate as viscoelastic. No pressure lowering drug was used and mean intraocular pressure was calculated using Goldman Applanation Tonometer. Intraocular pressure was measured preoperatively and then after 6, 12 and 24 hours and then after one week of surgery. Results: In Group 1, mean age was 65 ± 8.5 and mean Pre Op IOP was 13.1 ±  2.1. Mean Postop IOPs were 13.8, 14.2, 15.1 and 17.5 at 6, 12, and 24 hours and after 1 week respectively. In Group 2, mean age was 62.7 ± 8.3 and mean Preop IOP was 13.2 ± 2.3.  Mean Postop IOPs were 13.5, 13.9, 15.1 and 15.9 at 6, 12, and 24 hours and after 1 week respectively. Conclusions: Mean intraocular pressure rise was significantly greater at one week after phacoemulsification and insertion of an intraocular lens using 2% hydroxymethyl cellulose as viscoelastic.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the clinical effects of Salvadora persica oral rinse and commercial Phenolic mouth wash on oral health status of socially deprived madrasa girls after six months of a triple blind randomized clinical trial. METHODOLOGY: Girls aged 18-22 years living permanently in a madrasa of Multan city were recruited. After determining the sample size and trial duration participants were randomized into group A and Group B and were provided with freshly Salvadora persica oral rinse and commercial Phenolic mouth washes respectively. Pre, mid and post-interventional examinations were executed by a single, blind and calibrated examiner using Turesky Quigley Hein Plaque and Loe and Silness Gingival indices. Statistical analysis was carried out by descriptive statistics, two sample independent t-tests and ANOVA. The p-value of <0.05 was considered significant at 95 % confidence level and 80% power. RESULTS: Sixty subjects were enrolled for the present trial. The mean age of the participants was found out to be 21.5±0.76 years. No statistically significant difference was identified between the mean Plaque and Gingival scores of the two interventional groups at any of the examination phase. CONCLUSION: Salvadora persica oral rinse is suggested to be equally effective as the commercial Phenolic mouth wash for the control of plaque deposition and prevention of gingival inflammation. KEYWORDS: Dental plaque, Gingivitis, Miswak, Mouthwash