Antiplaque Efficacy and Patient Reported Outcome of Chlorohexidine, Cetylpyridinium Chloride, and Essential Oil Mouthwashes in Orthodontic Patients

Summary

The goal of this clinical trial is to evaluate and compare the antiplaque efficacy and patient reported outcome of three commonly used antiseptic mouthwashes - Chlorhexidine (CHX), Cetylpyridinium Chloride (CPC), and Essential Oil (EO) formulations - in orthodontic patients undergoing fixed appliance therapy. The main question it aims to answer is:

In orthodontic patients wearing fixed appliances, what is the comparative effect of chlorhexidine, cetylpyridinium chloride, and essential-oil mouthwashes versus placebo on clinical periodontal parameters, salivary IL-1β levels, and patient-reported outcomes.

Prior to enrollment in the clinical trial, all potential participants will undergo a preparatory phase for one month aimed at achieving optimal oral health and minimizing confounding baseline inflammation. During this phase, participants will receive a full professional oral prophylaxis, including scaling and polishing, to remove dental plaque and calculus deposits. This ensures that all individuals begin the study with a comparable level of oral hygiene and gingival health.

Participants will be instructed on a standardized oral hygiene regimen, including proper toothbrushing technique using a soft-bristled toothbrush and fluoridated toothpaste twice daily. In addition, each participant will be provided with a single-tufted brush as an interproximal cleaning aid to maintain plaque control around orthodontic brackets and hard-to-reach areas. The use of any other mouthwash or adjunctive antimicrobial agent will be prohibited during this phase. After preparatory phase, participants will undergo a four-day plaque-accumulation period immediately prior to baseline clinical and biochemical assessments. During this 4-day period participants will be instructed to refrain from all mechanical oral hygiene procedures (no toothbrushing, interdental cleaning, or mouthrinse use) in order to standardize plaque formation across subjects and create a measurable baseline plaque burden for subsequent comparisons.

After that, In base line visit the salivary sample will be collected for IL-1β measurement and clinical periodontal parameters (PI,GI,BOP,PPD) will be measured and receiving oral hygiene instructions and motivation, and first intervention will be given to the patient.

After one week Saliva will be collected for IL-1β measurement and the clinical measurements ( PI,GI,BOP)will be taken, then the participant goes into washout period for two weeks, after that the participant will be called to repeat the same protocol for the remaining three interventions.

Conditions

• Effectiveness of Chlorohexidine
• Effectiveness of Essential Oil
• Effectiveness of Cetylpyridinium Chloride

Interventions

DRUG

Chlorohexidine 0.12% mouthwash

Participants will rinse with 15 mL chlorhexidine gluconate 0.12% mouthwash (Kin Gingival) for 30 seconds twice daily for 7 days. Participants will avoid eating or drinking for 30 minutes after rinsing. This intervention is used as an antimicrobial mouthwash to reduce dental plaque and gingival inflammation.

DRUG

Cetylpyridinium chloride 0.05% mouthwash

Participants will rinse with 15 mL alcohol-free cetylpyridinium chloride (CPC) 0.05% mouthwash (Kin B5) for 30 seconds twice daily for 7 days. Participants will avoid eating or drinking for 30 minutes after use. CPC acts as a quaternary ammonium antimicrobial agent that disrupts bacterial membranes.

DRUG

Essential Oil mouthwash

Participants will rinse with 15 mL essential oil mouthwash (Listerine) for 30 seconds twice daily for 7 days. Participants will refrain from eating or drinking for 30 minutes after rinsing. Essential oils act by disrupting bacterial cell walls and inhibiting microbial enzyme activity.

OTHER

Placebo mouthwash

Participants will rinse with 15 mL flavored distilled water for 30 seconds twice daily for 7 days. The placebo solution has similar appearance and flavor but contains no active antimicrobial ingredients.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• University of Baghdad

  lead OTHER

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

PREVENTION

Masking

QUADRUPLE

Model

CROSSOVER

Eligibility

Min Age

14 Years

Max Age

30 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2026-01-05

Primary Completion

2026-07-01

Completion

2026-10-01

Countries

• Iraq

Study Locations