Comparative Evaluation of Chlorhexidine, Curcuma longa, and Tinospora cordifolia Mouthrinses on Salivary Streptococcus mutans and Lactobacillus: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Introduction: Oral pathogens such as Streptococcus mutans and Lactobacillus acidophilus are associated with dental caries. Chlorhexidine (CHX) mouthwash, though very effective and considered the “gold standard” but it also has certain side effects like brown discoloration of the teeth, oral mucosal erosion and bitter taste. Therefore, there is a need of an alternative medicine that could provide a product already enmeshed within the traditional Indian set-up and is also safe and economical. Objective: To compare the effect of CHX gluconate (0.2%), Tinospora cordifolia (0.2%) mouthrinse and Curcuma longa extract (0.1%) mouthrinse on the colony-forming units (CFU)/ml of S. mutans and Lactobacilli among dental students. Methodology: There were 75 dental students with DMFT ≥4 in the study who were randomly allocated into 3 groups to test various mouthrinses against S. mutans and Lactobacillus . Nonstimulated saliva samples were collected at baseline and after 14 days of postmouthrinse use and were tested for the CFU/ml of S. mutans and Lactobacillus . One-way analysis of variance statistics followed up with Tukey’s Post Hoc analysis and paired t -test were applied. P <0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: It was found that T. cordifolia mouthrinse showed reduced CFU/ml (21.04 ± 1.17, 13.12 ± 0.90) than Curcuma mouthrinse (24.04 ± 1.05, 15.41 ± 1.23). There was a reduction in the mean CFU/ml of S. mutans and Lactobacilli in CHX mouthrinse (17.54 ± 1.31, 10.03 ± 1.05) compared to other mouthrinses and was statistically significant ( P < 0.05). Conclusion: T. cordifolia mouthrinse can be a promising preventive therapy for the prevention of dental caries.