Effect of Peppermint Extract (Mentha Piperita) on Halitosis Problems in Active Smokers

Background: The results of the Basic Health Research (Riskesdas) in 2018 stated that the largest proportion of dental problems in Indonesia was damaged / perforated / diseased teeth 45.3%. While the majority of oral health problems experienced by the Indonesian population are swollen gums and abscesses at 14% 2. Dental caries is one of the many factors that can cause halitosis or bad breath3. Based on the above statement, an innovation is needed to overcome the problem of halitosis, one of which is with peppermint extract (mentha piperita). Research Objective: Proving that peppermint extract mouthwash (mentha piperitha) with a concentration of 10% has an effect on changing the level of halitosis in active smokers. Methods: This type of research uses a pre- experimental method with a pretest-posttest research design with control group design consisting of 2 (two) groups, namely the intervention group and the control group. The sampling method used was purposive sampling. The sampling method used was purposive sampling. Results: Based on the results of the Wilcoxon test, it shows that the average holistosis before and after the intervention group obtained a p-value of 0.001 <0.005, which means that gargling using peppermint extract mouthwash can affect the decrease in halistosis in smokers, while in the control group a p-value of 0.005>0.005 is obtained, which means that gargling using chlorhexidine is not very influential to reduce halistosis in smokers. Conclusion: There is an effect of giving peppermint extract (mentha piperita) with different concentrations on reducing the level of halitosis in active smokers.