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. 2025 Jul 23;14(15):5225.
doi: 10.3390/jcm14155225.

Effectiveness of an Essential Oil Mouthwash on Halitosis in Obese Patients with Periodontitis: A Short-Term Clinical Evaluation

Gabriela Beresescu  1 , Despina Luciana Bereczki-Temistocle  1 , Liana Beresescu  1 , Alina Ormenisan  1 , Adriana Monea  1 , Ion Razvan-Marius  2   3
Affiliations

Effectiveness of an Essential Oil Mouthwash on Halitosis in Obese Patients with Periodontitis: A Short-Term Clinical Evaluation

Gabriela Beresescu et al. J Clin Med. .

Abstract

Background: Halitosis is a common condition often rooted in periodontal disease and exacerbated by systemic disorders such as obesity. This short-term clinical evaluation investigates the relationship between halitosis, obesity, and periodontitis, and assesses the efficacy of a natural essential oil mouthwash as an adjunctive oral hygiene intervention. Methods: In this randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial, 45 obese patients with diagnosed periodontitis and self-reported halitosis were randomly assigned to either a test group (n = 30), receiving an essential oil-based mouthwash, or a control group (n = 15), receiving a placebo. Over 28 days, participants were evaluated using plaque index (PI), bleeding on probing (BOP), organoleptic scoring, and BANA test results. Both subjective and objective halitosis assessments were performed. Results: The test group showed marked improvements in all parameters compared to controls. PI decreased by 31.5% in the test group versus 9.25% in controls; BOP reduced by 34.5% versus 6.0%; BANA test positivity dropped by 38.1% in the test group. Organoleptic scores improved by 45.9% (examiner-rated) and 36.8% (self-assessed) in the test group. Conclusions: This 28-day clinical evaluation demonstrates the potential of an essential oil-based mouthwash to significantly reduce halitosis and periodontal inflammation in obese individuals with periodontitis. The necessity of future randomized trials is evident to substantiate the sustained benefits and safety of the intervention.

Keywords: BANA test; essential oil mouthwash; halitosis; obesity; oral hygiene; organoleptic score; periodontitis.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
The flow chart of the study.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Plaque index before and after treatment in both groups.
Figure 3
Figure 3
BOP before and after treatment in both groups.
Figure 4
Figure 4
Changes in BANA test before and after treatment in test group.
Figure 5
Figure 5
Self-rated halitosis improvement.
Figure 6
Figure 6
Examiner-rated halitosis Improvement.
Figure 7
Figure 7
Comparative improvement in clinical parameters after 28 days.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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