A comparative evaluation of herbal and nonherbal mouthrinses on salivary pH levels and salivary Streptococcus mutans count in 6–12-year-old children: A randomized controlled trial

Background: Dental caries is a disease of complex etiology, in which microorganisms play an important role. Salivary pH and Streptococcus mutans count influence the initiation and progression of dental caries. Objectives: This study aimed to assess the efficacy of the combined herbal and nonherbal rinse on salivary pH and salivary S. mutans count and comparing it with herbal and nonherbal mouthrinse in 6–12-year-old high caries-risk children. Methodology: Ninety high caries-risk children of age 6–12 years were selected and allocated randomly into three groups (herbal, nonherbal, combination mouthrinses = 30 each). Children were instructed to rinse their mouth twice daily with their assigned mouthrinses for 7 days. Salivary samples were collected at baseline, 1 h post rinsing, and at the end of 7th day of mouthrinsing for determining the salivary pH and S. mutans count. ANOVA and post hoc tests were applied. Statistical significance was considered at P < 0.05. Results: There was a statistically significant difference in salivary pH between baseline, 1 h, and 7 days. There was a statistical significant difference in mean S. mutans count among herbal, nonherbal, and combination mouthrinse at baseline and 1 h. There was a statistically significant intragroup difference for mean salivary pH and S. mutans at baseline and follow-ups in all three groups. Conclusion: Combination mouthrinse was more effective in increasing salivary pH level and reducing S. mutans count followed by herbal and nonherbal mouthrinse at 1 h. Nonherbal mouthrinse was more effective in increasing salivary pH level as compared to combination and herbal mouthrinse after 7 days. There was no statistically significant reduction in S. mutans count among groups at 7 days