Comparing the effectiveness of yoga with supervised tooth brushing on oral health maintenance among adolescents of Irular tribes: A cluster randomized trial.

Background: Irulars belong to the "particularly vulnerable groups" that experience a range of problems with oral health, some of which are caused by unconventional oral hygiene practices and limited access to dental care. Aim and Objectives: To assess the effectiveness of yoga with supervised tooth brushing on plaque levels and gingival health among adolescents of Irular tribes. Materials and Methods: A cluster randomized controlled trial was conducted among 50 Irular children aged 12-15 years. Subjects were randomly allocated into Group I (Yoga and supervised tooth brushing) and Group II (supervised toothbrushing alone) based on inclusion and exclusion criteria. Clinical examinations were obtained using the plaque and gingival index (Loe and Sillnes). The children practiced supervised toothbrushing and yoga for 21 days. Periodic reinforcement of yoga and supervised toothbrushing were done at the 3 Result: The plaque score was statistically significant between the groups after 21 days. The mean reduction in gingival scores from baseline to 6 months was higher in the yoga with supervised tooth brushing group (1.7) when compared to the supervised tooth brushing group (1.3), and there was a statistically significant difference in gingival scores. Conclusion: The study concluded that incorporating yoga alongside supervised brushing significantly improved gingival and plaque scores over a 6-month period. Teaching yoga to adolescents, in combination with proper brushing habits, has been shown to enhance both their oral and overall health.