Assessing the efficacy of a bioflavonoid-based mouth rinse in reducing oral malodor related to removable orthodontic appliances in comparison to chlorhexidine

Halitosis is an unpleasant breath odor; it affects roughly 30-50% of the population. The major compounds that contribute to halitosis that originates from the mouth, typically referred to as oral malodor, are volatile sulfur compounds (VSCs), which are produced by a variety of microorganisms. It has been shown that orthodontic patients with acrylic appliances complain of oral malodor. The source of the odor is in part due to the nature of the appliance, which retains microorganisms that are not removed by mechanical cleaning so typically the addition of an antimicrobial agent, such as Chlorhexidine (CHX) to cleanse the appliances is recommended. However, CHX has some side effects so alternatives need to be explored. Objective: To assess the antimicrobial and the anti-malodor efficacy of a bioflavonoid mouth rinse (BFMR) compared to CHX and water on removable orthodontic appliances. Method: Participants between 8-20 years of age who complained of malodor from their removable orthodontic appliances from the UBC dental clinics and a private orthodontic practice were recruited and blindly randomized into groups in which different mouth rinses were used to soak the appliances for one week (BFMR, Chlorhexidine and water). Baseline and one-week follow-up data collection included the oral hygiene index (OHI), gingival index (GI), tongue coating index (TCI), VSC measurement by gas chromatography, organoleptic assessment, a microbial swab Results: Data was collected from 27 participants ranging in age from 8-16 years old. The baseline measurements of OHI, GI and TCI did not change significantly throughout the study. The organoleptic measurements of odor as well as the aerobic and anaerobic bacterial counts showed a significant reduction in the BFMR group, but for the CHX and water group no significant difference was detected from baseline to follow-up. Conclusion: The BFMR has superior antimicrobial and anti-malodor effect when compared to CHX or to water.Dentistry, Faculty ofGraduat