Postsurgical mouthwash is routinely used in daily clinical practice. Chlorhexidine gluconate (CHX) is considered gold standard for chemical plaque control regime. Extensively studied Chlorine dioxide (ClO2) formulation has shown to have antiplaque, antibacterial effect and effective against oral malodor. Unlike CHX it does not cause teeth staining. Chlorine dioxide could be the possible alternative to CHX. The aim of the study is to clinical and microbial comparative evaluation of 0.1% chlorine dioxide mouthwash versus 0.2% Chlorhexidine mouthwash after periodontal surgery. Forty-five patients scheduled for periodontal flap surgery were randomly assigned in three groups depending on the post-surgical mouthwash. Patients belonging to Group A and Group B were asked to rinse with 0.2% CHX mouthwash and 0.1% Chlorine dioxide respectively, twice a day for 2 weeks after periodontal surgery while patients belonging to Group C were asked to rinse with saline solution. On 7th and 14th day, Plaque index (PI), Gingival index (GI), halitosis and early wound healing index were recorded. Microbial analysis was performed by determining colony forming unit on blood agar plates cultured using plaque samples from the site. The data obtained from these were statistically analysed. Both the test groups demonstrated statistically significant reduction in colony forming unit, PI, GI, and halitosis from baseline while Saline group showed non-significant reduction in colony forming unit, PI, GI, and halitosis from baseline. The result of the present study supports alternate use of chlorine dioxide mouthwash to promote early wound healing after periodontal surgery.

Keywords : Chlorine dioxide, Chlorhexidine, Halitosis, Perio-mouthwash, Post-surgical mouth rinses.