title: The effects of three oral sprays on plaque and gingival inflammation.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The aim of this clinical trial was to compare the effects of three oral sprays containing chlorhexidine (CHX), benzydamine hydrochloride (B-HCl), and CHX plus B-HCl (CHX/B-HCl) on plaque and gingivitis.
  
  
  METHODS
  Fifty-one periodontally healthy volunteers, randomly divided into three spray groups, refrained from all mechanical oral hygiene measures for 7 days and, instead, used one of the randomly assigned sprays twice daily. The plaque index (PI), gingival index (GI), and gingival bleeding time index (GBTI) were assessed at days 0 and 7. Side effects were also evaluated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In all groups, PI, GI, and GBTI showed significant increases from the baseline to day 7. There were no significant side effects for B-HCl spray and CHX spray at day 7, but, for CHX/B-HCl, burning sensation significantly increased from the baseline. For all parameters, there were significant differences between B-HCl and CHX/B-HCl and between B-HCl and CHX, but no significant differences were observed between CHX/B-HCl and CHX. In addition, a significant difference was found between CHX/B-HCl and CHX with regard to burning sensation.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These results indicate that both CHX and CHX/B-HCl sprays have equal clinical effectiveness, but only B-HCl spray has less anti-plaque and anti-gingivitis effects. Furthermore, CHX/B-HCl spray causes more side effects.
authors.affiliation: Department of Periodontology, Faculty of Dentistry, Suleyman Demirel University, Isparta, Turkey.
authors.forename: F Yesim
authors.initials: FY
authors.lastname: Bozkurt
authors.forename: Mine
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Oztürk
authors.forename: Zuhal
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Yetkin
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000336:Aerosols / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000890:Anti-Infective Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D001591:Benzydamine / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D002710:Chlorhexidine / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D003773:Dental Plaque / Q000517:prevention & control*; D003774:Dental Plaque Index; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004338:Drug Combinations; D005260:Female; D005891:Gingivitis / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010512:Periodontal Index
chemical_list: D000336:Aerosols; D000890:Anti-Infective Agents; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D004338:Drug Combinations; D001591:Benzydamine; D002710:Chlorhexidine