RESUMEN
The efficacy of a mouth wash prepared in collaboration between the Faculty of dentistry and the Faculty of Pharmacy, Alexandria University, was studied. A base line of an almost zero G.I. and PL. I. was established by polishing, scaling and meticulous oral hygiene in three groups of dental students, 10 in each group. For twenty days, the first group used the mouth wash in combination with proper mechanical cleaning procedures, the second group rinsed with the mouth wash only while the third group performed mechanical cleaning procedures only. The two groups who used the mouth wash showed significant reduction in salivary viable count and no significant change neither, in the PL. I. nor in the G.I. On the other hand the group who was maintained on mechanical cleaning only showed no reduction in the salivary viable count, an increase in the PL. I. On the proximal surfaces and a significant increase in G.I. denotes the development of gingivitis The taste of the mouth wash was acceptable and its use was not accompanied by any side effects throughout the period of the study