EFEKTIVITAS BERKUMUR DENGAN AIR SEDUHAN TEH HIJAU DALAM MENURUNKAN AKUMULASI PLAK

Abstract : Tea is a kind of beverage which is consumed by many people. Tea has a wide range of beneficial properties to our health. Green tea catechins has an active component that can reduce the formation of Streptococcus mutans as a component of the formation of dental plaque. This study aimed to determine the effectiveness of rinsing with water steeping green tea in reducing plaque accumulation. This was an experimental study using pretest and posttest design. This study was conducted in Dental Study Program Sam Ratulangi University. There were a total of 50 samples. The results showed that the average value of the initial index plaque of the samples was 4.829; of day 1 was 4.140; of day 2 was 3.674; of day 3 was 3.200; of day 4 was 2.524; of day 5 was 1.895; of day 6 was 1.477; and of day 7 was 1.078. The Wilcoxon test showed a p value <0.05, which meant that there was a significant difference between plaque index before rinsing water steeping with green tea and plaque index after the rinse water steeping green tea. Conclusion: Rinsing with green tea was effective in decreasing dental plaque index. Keywords : green tea, dental plaque index Abstrak : Teh merupakan minuman yang dikonsumsi oleh sebagian besar masyarakat. Teh memiliki berbagai macam khasiat bagi kesehatan. Teh hijau memiliki komponen aktif yaitu katekin yang dapat menghambat pertumbuhan Streptococcus mutans sebagai salah satu komponen pembentukan plak gigi. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui efektivitas berkumur dengan air seduhan teh hijau dalam menurunkan akumulasi plak. Metode penelitian yang digunakan ialah rancangan eksperimental dengan pretest dan posttest design. Penelitian ini dilaksanakan di Program Studi Pendidikan Dokter Gigi Universitas Sam Ratulangi Manado dengan jumlah sampel sebanyak 50 orang. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan nilai indeks awal plak pada sampel mempunyai nilai rerata 4,829; hari 1 sebesar 4,140; hari 2 sebesar 3,674; hari 3 sebesar 3,200; hari 4 sebesar 2,524; hari 5 sebesar 1,895; hari 6 sebesar 1,477; dan hari 7 sebesar 1,078. Hasil uji analisis statistik Wilcoxon menunjukkan p<0,05, yang berarti terdapat perbedaan bermakna antara indeks plak sebelum dan setelah berkumur air seduhan teh hijau. Simpulan: Berkumur air seduhan teh hijau efektif terhadap penurunan indeks plak gigi. Kata kunci : teh hijau, indeks plak gigi