EFFECTIVENESS OF CHEWING WATER APOLE AND STARFRUIT IN REDUCING PLAQUE SCORES

Abstract

Background: Plaque is a layer attached to the surface of the teeth consisting of microorganisms that grow on the surface of the teeth if someone ignores dental and oral hygiene. Plaque is the main cause of caries and periodontal disease. Efforts are made to prevent or reduce plaque formation with mechanical plaque control, namely by brushing teeth, chemical methods using mouthwash and natural methods, namely by chewing fibrous and juicy fruits. Objective: the effectiveness of chewing water guava and starfruit in reducing plaque scores in students of the Department of Dental Health, Health Polytechnic of Jambi. Method: This study is a quasi-experimental study using a pre-test and post-test design. Sampling used purposive sampling, the sample in this study amounted to 30 students who were divide into 2 groups intervention . Results: in the group chewing water apple fruit the average value of plaque score reduction was (29.9) and the results of the statistical test p-value 0.000 <0.05 in the group chewing star fruit the average value of plaque score reduction was (33.7) and the results of the statistical test p-value 0.000 <0.05 In the independent T-Test test of unpaired differences, the p-Value obtained was 0.017 <0.05, meaning there was a significant difference between chewing using water apple fruit and star fruit. Conclusion: water apple fruit and star fruit are effective in reducing plaque scores. However, star fruit is more effective in reducing plaque scores in students of the Department of Dental Health, Health Polytechnic of Jambi.