The antiplaque effect of herbal mouthwash in comparison to chlorhexidine in human gingival disease: a randomized placebo controlled clinical trial

Abstract

Background: The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy, safety, antiplaque and antigingivitis properties of a herbal mouthwash with chlorhexidine mouthwash.

Methods: A double-blinded randomized clinical trial was conducted among 72 undergraduate students with age group 18-24 years. They were randomly divided into three mouthwash group with 24 participants in each group. Group A (herbal), Group B (chlorhexidine) and Group C (normal saline).The Turesky et al. 1970 plaque index and Loe and Silness 1963 gingival index was recorded. Student's t-test and one-way ANOVA were used to test the significance.

Results: A statistically highly significant difference was obtained between mouthwash B and C (p=0.00) and a significant difference between mouthwash A and C (p=0.004), showing that chlorhexidine was superior to herbal mouthwash and saline. However, there was a nonsignificant difference between mouthwash A and B (p=0.435) showing that herbal and chlorhexidine mouthwash was equally effective in reducing plaque and gingivitis.

Conclusions: The efficacy of herbal mouthwash was equally effective in reducing plaque and gingivitis as compared to chlorhexidine mouthwash and may be considered as a good alternative. The chlorhexidine mouthwash was reported with many side effects which limits its acceptability and long-term use, whereas the presently tested herbal mouthwash had no side effects apart from mild burning sensation.