Abstract OBJECTIVE: To evaluate and compare the effects of two alcohol-free mouthrinses, Listerine ® Zero, and Pepsodent Daun Sirih ® , on the force decay of orthodontic elastomeric chains commonly used in orthodontic treatment. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixty elastomeric chain segments were randomly allocated into three groups ( n = 20 per group): control (artificial saliva), Listerine ® Zero, and Pepsodent Daun Sirih ® . Samples were immersed twice daily for 30 sec in their respective solutions and stored in artificial saliva at 37°C between immersions for 21 days. Force measurements were recorded at baseline (Day 0) and on Days 1, 7, 14, and 21 using a digital force gauge. Data normality was assessed using the Shapiro–Wilk test. As the data were not normally distributed, the Kruskal–Wallis test followed by the Mann–Whitney U test was applied, with statistical significance set at P < 0.05. RESULTS: Both mouthrinses produced a progressive reduction in force over time, with the greatest force decay occurring within the first 24 hours, followed by a more gradual decline up to 21 days. However, elastomeric chains immersed in Pepsodent Daun Sirih ® consistently retained higher residual force than those immersed in Listerine ® Zero at all observation periods, indicating a slower rate of force degradation. CONCLUSION: Pepsodent Daun Sirih ® demonstrated a lower degree of force decay and maintained significantly higher residual force compared with Listerine ® Zero throughout the observation period. These findings suggest that Pepsodent Daun Sirih ® may be a more suitable alcohol-free mouthrinse for preserving orthodontic force during treatment.
Arif et al. (2026) studied this question.