The study tested the effects of supervised chlorhexidine digluconate (CH) mouthrinses on plaque and gingivitis in school children. 158 children (aged 10–12 years) participated in the study. They were divided into four groups matched according to age, sex. DMFS, and GI. Following a sealing and prophylaxis procedure. Group A was assigned to daily mouthrinses 6 times per week using a .2 % solution of CH. Group B used the same solution only twice per week, and Group C was assigned to daily rinsing using a .1 % solution of CH. Group D served as control and rinsed daily with a placebo solution. All the rinsings were supervised and timed for 30 seconds. No attempt was made to influence the oral hygiene habits of the children. Prior to the initial prophylaxis and after 6 months of supervised rinsing, plaque was scored using the Plaque Index (PII), and gingivitis was assessed using the Gingival Index (GI). Calculus was scored according to the Calculus Surface Index (CSI), and stain was also graded. DMFS indices were assessed using clinical and radiographic examinations. At the end of the study plaque was significantly reduced in all CH groups when compared with the controls, and calculus increased significantly in all CH groups. In Group A the GI dropped from .88 to .15 and in Group C from .80 to .24. In Group B the GI dropped from .79 to .38. In the control group a slight reduction from GI = .93 to GI = .75 was noted. The study has shown that gingivitis can be controlled successfully on a longitudinal basis using .1 % or .2 % mouthrinses of CH as an adjunct to daily toothbrushing.

The effects of a chlorhexidine gluconate mouthrinse on plaque and gingivitis were studied among 430 adults in a six‐month clinical trial. Subjects were divided in two comparable treatment groups matched for age, sex, and initial gingivitis severity. Following a thorough oral prophylaxis, they were instructed to rinse twice a day for 30 seconds with 15 ml of a 0.12% chlorhexidine gluconate mouthrinse or a placebo mouthrinse. After three and six months of mouthrinse use, the chlorhexidine group had significantly less gingivitis, gingival bleeding, and plaque accumulation compared to the placebo group. As expected, accumulation of dental calculus and extrinsic dental stain increased in the chlorbexidine group. No significant differences in adverse oral soft tissue effects were observed between the two groups. Since use of oral antimicrobial agents has been reported to produce tooth and tongue stain, gingivitis examinations were done with and without tooth covers to eliminate the potential for examiner bias. Comparable reductions in the Gingival Index scores and gingival bleeding were obtained when the evaluations were conducted with or without the tooth covers. It was concluded that a 0.12% chlorhexidine gluconate mouthrinse can provide an important adjunct to the prevention and control of gingivitis when used with regular personal oral hygiene procedures and professional care.

No abstract