Efektifitas Herba Gargarisma terhadap Streptococcus pada Rongga Mulut

This study examines oral hygiene that may influence the physical condition of any human body. This influence is so strong since entering any food get into the body through mouth. Naturally, our grand parents have already eaten something that disinfect microorganism in their mouths. For instant, they eat a kind of herb gargle or mouth wash from any cheap plantation. Not only cheap, but it is also safe because it has no side effect at all. Therefore, this study would like to observe the effectiveness of any kind of herb gargle to control microorganism in the mouth. The purpose of this study is to compare some herb gargles which may refresh our mouth. The sample was 45 children consist of male and female in the Panti Asuhan Yatama Firdaus, at kelurahan Srondol Wotan, Kecamatan Banyumanik, Semarang. Three kind of gargle such as clove (Eugenia carryophyllata), sirih (piper betel) and nira aren (arenga pinnala) were distributed to three groups of 45 children. Each group consists of 15 children rinsed a kind of gargle and spited out into a glass tube prepared. The concentration of bacteria from their mouth was measured in the laboratory. Therefore, herba gargarisma that controls microorganism in their mouth identified. The results indicate that reducing streptococcus by rinsing clove is stronger a sirih and nira. It is because the clove contains eugenol. But since it is so hot, many people dislike to chew clove their mouth. However, the clove is good additional raw material for toothpaste and/or gargle. We believe that clove in the toothpaste and/or gargle will reduce the concentration of the streptococcus in the mouth. Therefore, this study recommends that clove may be used in the industrially to produce toothpaste and gargle since it is can give a good affect the oral hygiene. Key words: herb gargle, streptococcus, mout