[Comparative effects of essential oil-containing mouthrinse on reduction of plaque and gingivitis].
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to determine the efficacy of reducing plaque and gingivitis when used as an adjunct to normal oral hygiene routine and regular professional care.


METHODS
Eighty-two adult subjects were enrolled into a 6-month, double-blind, controlled parallel-designed clinical study. After being scaled and polished, they were randomized into two groups: essential oil-containing mouthrinse group and placebo mouthrinse group. Everyone rinsed twice a day for 6 months with 20 mL mouthrinse. The subjects were provided with a soft nylon toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste and were asked not to use any other mouthrinse during the study. At baseline and at 3- and 6-month, subjects were evaluated for supragingival plaque and gingivitis. SPSS 13.0 software package was used for statistical analysis(student's t test).


RESULTS
At 3- month, the essential oil-containing mouthrinse significantly produced a 9.02% inhibition of supragingival plaque development and a 11.88% inhibition of gingivitis development compared with the control group. At 6-month, the essential oil-containing mouthrinse significantly produced a 16.98% inhibition of supragingival plaque development and a 21.47% inhibition of gingivitis development compared with the control group.


CONCLUSIONS
The essential oil-containing mouthrinse demonstrates a significant reduction in dental plaque, gingivitis and enhances overall gingival health compared with using placebo rinse.
Department of Preventive Dentistry, Affiliated Stomatological Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou 350002, Fujian Province, China. imfengyan@sohu.com
Yan
Y
Feng
Xue
X
Li
Xu
X
Fan
Ke-Zeng
KZ
Li
Jian-Hua
JH
Wei
De-Yu
DY
Hu
D000328:Adult; D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local; D003773:Dental Plaque; D003774:Dental Plaque Index; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005881:Gingiva; D005891:Gingivitis; D006801:Humans; D009067:Mouthwashes; D009822:Oils, Volatile; D010512:Periodontal Index; D014099:Toothbrushing
D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local; D009067:Mouthwashes; D009822:Oils, Volatile