Effect of eucalyptus extract chewing gum on periodontal health: a double-masked, randomized trial.
BACKGROUND
Studies in vitro showed that eucalyptus extracts possess antibacterial activity against cariogenic and periodontopathic bacteria; however, the clinical effects with respect to periodontal health in humans remain unproven. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of chewing gum containing eucalyptus extract on periodontal health in a double-masked, randomized, controlled trial.


METHODS
Healthy humans with gingivitis but not deep periodontal pockets were randomly assigned to the following groups: high-concentration group (n=32): use of 0.6% eucalyptus extract chewing gum for 12 weeks (90 mg/day); low-concentration group (n=32): use of 0.4% eucalyptus extract chewing gum for 12 weeks (60 mg/day); and placebo group (n=33): use of chewing gum without eucalyptus extract for 12 weeks. Plaque accumulation (PLA), gingival index (GI), bleeding on probing (BOP), periodontal probing depth (PD), and clinical attachment level (CAL) were measured at weeks 0, 4, 8, 12, and 14. Significance was analyzed with repeated-measures two-way analysis of variance followed by the Games-Howell pairwise comparison test.


RESULTS
The interaction between the effects of eucalyptus extract chewing gum and the intake period was statistically significant for PLA, GI, BOP, and PD but not for CAL. The low- and high-concentration groups exhibited statistically significant (P <0.05) improvements compared to the placebo group for PLA, GI, BOP, and PD.


CONCLUSIONS
Eucalyptus extract chewing gum had a significant effect on PLA, GI, BOP, and PD. The use of eucalyptus extract chewing gum may promote periodontal health.
Nagata
Hideki
H
Department of Preventive Dentistry, Osaka University Graduate School of Dentistry, Suita, Osaka, Japan. nagatah@dent.osaka-u.ac.jp
Inagaki
Yoshika
Y
Tanaka
Muneo
M
Ojima
Miki
M
Kataoka
Kosuke
K
Kuboniwa
Masae
M
Nishida
Nobuko
N
Shimizu
Katsumasa
K
Osawa
Kenji
K
Shizukuishi
Satoshi
S
D000328:Adult; D002638:Chewing Gum; D003773:Dental Plaque / Q000517:prevention & control; D003774:Dental Plaque Index; D012534:Dental Scaling; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005052:Eucalyptus; D005260:Female; D005884:Gingival Hemorrhage / Q000517:prevention & control; D005891:Gingivitis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017622:Periodontal Attachment Loss / Q000517:prevention & control; D010512:Periodontal Index; D010514:Periodontal Pocket / Q000517:prevention & control; D008517:Phytotherapy; D010919:Placebos; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D002638:Chewing Gum; D010919:Placebos; D010936:Plant Extracts