Participants rinsed with 15 ml of the prototype chlorhexidine-free pediatric mouthwash for 30-60 seconds twice daily for 21 days as an adjunct to standard oral hygiene.

Participants rinsed with a 15 ml chlorhexidine-containing mouthwash for 30-60 s twice daily for 21 days as an adjunct to standard oral hygiene.

Participants rinsed with 15 ml of the placebo mouthwash for 30-60 seconds twice daily for 21 days as an adjunct to standard oral hygiene.

Participants rinsed with a 15 ml prototype chlorhexidine-free pediatric mouthwash for 30-60 s twice daily for 21 days as an adjunct to standard oral hygiene.

The Orthodontic Plaque Index focuses on the areas around the bracket, which represents an additional plaque-retentive factor. The dentition is divided into sextants and plaque accumulation is scored from 0 to 4. The mesial, distal, incisal and cervical areas around each bracket are evaluated. The highest score among all sextants defines the oral hygiene level and identifies the need for preventive measures.

Registry field data

Code 0 No plaque accumulation is detected.

Code 1 Plaque accumulation is detected on one tooth surface around the bracket base.

Code 2 Plaque accumulation is detected on two tooth surfaces around the bracket base.

Code 3 Plaque accumulation is detected on three tooth surfaces around the bracket base; increased risk of caries and gingivitis is assumed.

Code 4 Plaque accumulation is detected on all tooth surfaces around the bracket base and/or gingival inflammation is present.

The index evaluates color, contour and bleeding of the gingival tissues. A World Health Organization (WHO) 621 periodontal probe is used to examine the gingival sulcus, and bleeding is recorded within 10 seconds.

Code 0 Normal gingiva.

Code 1 Mild inflammation: slight color change and slight edema, without bleeding on probing.

Code 2 Moderate inflammation: redness, edema and glazing, with bleeding on probing.

Code 3 Severe inflammation: marked redness and edema, ulceration and tendency to spontaneous bleeding.

FMBS assesses provoked bleeding from the gingival sulcus using a WHO 621 periodontal probe. Bleeding is recorded within 10 seconds and marked as present (+) or absent (-). The index is calculated as the percentage of gingival sites with provoked bleeding from all examined sites for each child.

Dental plaque accumulation was assessed using the Full Mouth Plaque Score. The presence of visible plaque was recorded on tooth surfaces, and the result was expressed as the percentage of plaque-positive sites. Lower percentages indicate improved plaque control.

Halitosis was assessed by gas chromatography using OralChroma™. Volatile sulfur compounds were measured, including hydrogen sulfide, methyl mercaptan and dimethyl sulfide.