Analysis of the therapeutic efficacy of tinidazole combined with compound chlorhexidine gargle in the treatment of oral infections caused by Candida albicans following orthodontics.

Abstract

This study evaluated the efficacy of tinidazole combined with compound chlorhexidine gargle in treating oral Candida albicans infections after orthodontic procedures. Sixty patients (July 2021-December 2023) were divided into an observation group (tinidazole + chlorhexidine, n=30) and a control group (chlorhexidine alone, n=30). After 7 days, the observation group showed significantly lower oral Candida albicans colony counts (t=6.536, P<0.05), a higher total clinical efficacy rate (96.67% vs. 80.00%, χ^²=4.043, P<0.05), reduced oral pain scores (t=12.420, P<0.05), lower periodontal indices (PLI and GI, t=18.884, 18.689, P<0.05), decreased levels of inflammatory markers (IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, and hs-CRP, t=5.859, 5.868, 3.436, 16.303, P<0.05), and improved oral health-related quality of life scores (t=8.693, 11.198, 5.086, 5.549, P<0.05). The incidence of adverse reactions was lower in the observation group (χ^²=0.577, P>0.05), with no recurrence observed. The combination therapy demonstrated superior clinical efficacy and safety compared to monotherapy. The combined application can effectively reduce the number of Candida albicans colonies in the oral cavity, alleviate oral pain, decrease the levels of inflammatory markers, improve periodontal health and oral health-related quality of life and exhibit good safety.