title: Efficacy of chlorhexidine mouthrinses with and without alcohol - a clinical study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To compare the efficacy of alcohol-free chlorhexidine mouthrinse to chlorhexidine with alcohol and a placebo (water) in controlling plaque and reducing gingival inflammation in patients with gingivitis.
  
  
  METHODS
  This was a single-blind, parallel-group study with 30 gingivitis patients in whom the plaque index (Silness and Löe) and gingival index (Löe and Silness) were recorded prior to treatment with 0.2% chlorhexidine mouthrinse with alcohol (group I, n = 10; CHX-A), 0.2% chlorhexidine mouthrinse without alcohol (group II, n = 10; CHXNA) or a placebo (water) (group II, n = 10; P). The plaque and gingival indices were recorded again at days 14 and 28 after the start of treatment.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There were significant differences in plaque and gingival indices with both chlorhexidine rinses compared to the placebo. The gingival index showed a greater clinical change in group II (CHX-NA) than in group I (CHX-A).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The alcohol-free rinse was as effective as the one containing alcohol in controlling plaque and reducing gingival inflammation. Therefore, its use can be recommended in all periodontal patients, but especially in those for whom the use of alcohol may lead to side effects.
authors.affiliation: Department of Periodontology and Implantology, M.A. Rangoonwala College of Dental Sciences and Research Centre, Pune-411001, Maharashtra, India. rtodkar@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Rohit
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Todkar
authors.forename: Salika
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sheikh
authors.forename: Girish
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Byakod
authors.forename: Sangeeta
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Muglikar
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002710:Chlorhexidine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003773:Dental Plaque / Q000517:prevention & control*; D003774:Dental Plaque Index; D000431:Ethanol / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005891:Gingivitis / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009067:Mouthwashes / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D010512:Periodontal Index; D010919:Placebos; D016037:Single-Blind Method
chemical_list: D009067:Mouthwashes; D010919:Placebos; D000431:Ethanol; D002710:Chlorhexidine