Comparison of the effect of chamomile and chlorhexidine glucosan cleansing on dental plaque and mucosal lesions of ventilated patients in the intensive care unit

Background and Aims: The use of methods with minimal complications and risk is of utmost importance in the promotion of oral hygiene in the care of intensive care unit (ICU) patients. The present study aimed to compare the effect of chamomile mouthwash and chlorhexidine gluconate on dental plaque and oral mucosal lesions of patients under ventilator in the intensive care unit. Materials and Methods: This randomized controlled clinical trial was conducted on 50 eligible patients who were selected via available sampling method from among trauma patients in the ICU of Imam Reza (AS) Hospital in Birjand. They were assigned to two groups of chamomile extract 10% (n=25) and chlorhexidine gluconate 0.2% (n=25) by block randomization. In each group, the solution was used three times a day every 8 hours for 5 days. The instruments were the Backas Assessment Checklist (BOAS) and the Mucosal Plate (MPS). Results: In both groups, the mean total score of oral mucosal lesions and dental plaque significantly decreased 2 and 5 days after the intervention, compared to the pre-intervention (P<0.001); nonetheless, the two groups were not significantly different in this regard (P>0.05). Furthermore, there was no statistically significant difference in the mean changes in the total scores of oral mucosal lesions and dental plaque at different times in the two groups (P>0.05). Conclusion: Chamomile mouthwash and chlorhexidine mouthwash have similar beneficial effects on dental plaque and oral mucosal lesions of ventilated patients admitted to the ICU.