(Abstract)
Purpose: This study aimed to evaluate the effects of gargling with S-solution and gargling with A-solution on salivary pH, coated tongue, and dental plaque index in preschool children. Methods: Non-equivalent control group pretest-posttest design was used to select the participants. Ninety-nine preschool children participated in a seven-day study period and were divided into three groups. Data were collected from August 6 to August 22, 2014. A group of thirty-three preschool children were given 10ml of S-solution (mixed with spearmint, tea-tree, and lemon oil), while another thirty-three preschool children were given 10ml of A-solution (mixed with peppermint, tea-tree, and lemon oil). The participants in these two groups were instructed to brush their teeth prior to rinsing with either S-solution or A-solution twice a day for 30 seconds. The third group of thirty-three preschool children was put in the control group who received routine oral care such as brushing their teeth on a daily basis. Salivary pH, coated tongue, and dental plaque index were recorded at baseline, 30 minutes, and 7 days after the first treatment were given. The data were statistically analyzed using X2-test, ANOVA, and repeated measures of ANOVA. Results: There were no significant differences in salivary pH, coated tongue, and dental plaque index in pre-test. However, the salivary pH in the S-solution group had significantly increased after 30 minutes (F = 3.21, p < .05) and 7 days (F = 5.14, p < .01) of first treatment. Also, the S-solution and A-solution groups had significant decrease in dental plaque index after 30 minutes and 7 days of first treatment (F = 18.76, p < .001) than the control group. With respect to coated tongue, there were no significant differences among the three groups. Conclusion: The results of this study indicate that essential oil gargling after brushing is helpful in improving oral health due to auxiliary oral hygiene device with natural product. Specifically, gargling with S-solution is more effective than A- solution on oral health in preschool children by neutralizing salivary pH and reducing dental plaque index.