The ability of chlorhexidine oral rinse in prohibiting gingivitis in orthodontic patients: A literature review

Periodontal conditions, known as plaque-induced gingivitis, are one that dentists frequently deal with daily. One condition that often faces challenges in plaque control is fixed orthodontic treatment. Plaque control is generally carried out by mechanical methods, such as using dental floss, brushing teeth, oral irrigation, cleaning teeth with an interdental cleaner and professional tartar cleaning and polishing to remove plaque mechanically. However, the success of this method is highly dependent on the techniques used by each individual. As a complement, Chlorhexidine (CHX) mouthwash is often used to support plaque control. This study purposed to analyze the role of chlorhexidine (CHX) on the gingivitis index in orthodontic patients as a control for plaque-induced gingivitis. This research method uses a literature review of nine articles using Google Scholar, PubMed and Elsevier databases from 2014-2024. CHX was proven to significantly reduce gingival index (GI),  plaque index (PI) and inhibit the accumulation of microbial biofilm on the surface of orthodontic appliances. The conclusion is that CHX mouthwash effectively reduces gingivitis and plaque in patients with fixed orthodontic appliance, even though it has adverse effect such as tooth staining and irritation. Alternatives such as probiotics, propolis, and herbal mouthwash show similar potential with less severe side effects, so further research is needed to optimize formulations and evaluate their long-term effectiveness.