Abstract
OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to determine the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of mouthwashes prepared from neem and mango extracts against Streptococcus mutans (S. mutans) in vitro. Their taste acceptability and effects on plaque index (PI), gingival index (GI) and salivary pH were also evaluated and compared with chlorhexidine (CHX) in children. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Dry extracts of neem and mango twigs were prepared and their MIC against S. mutans was determined. The effective MIC was used to prepare mouthwashes from the two extracts. Three parallel groups of children (n=30) used either neem, mango or 0.2% CHX mouthwash for 21 days. The PI and GI were recorded at baseline and at 7 and 21 days. The salivary pH and taste acceptability were also assessed. RESULTS: The MIC of both extracts was achieved at 25% concentration. There was a significant difference between the GI score of mango group compared with neem and CHX at the three time points (P<0.001). There was no significant difference between the neem and mango groups in PI (P=0.674). There was no significant difference among the three groups in salivary pH either (P=0.817). Intragroup comparison showed significant reductions in PI, GI and salivary pH in all the three groups after 21 days (P<0.001). CONCLUSION: Neem and mango mouthwashes can be used as effective alternatives to CHX in children.