The effect of an essential-oils mouthrinse as compared to a vehicle solution on plaque and gingival inflammation: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this review was to systematically evaluate the effects of an alcohol vehicle solution (V-Sol) compared with an essential-oils mouthwash (EOMW) and if available with a water-based control (WC) on plaque, gingival inflammation parameters and extrinsic tooth staining.


METHODS
The PubMed-MEDLINE, Cochrane-CENTRAL and EMBASE databases were searched. Where appropriate, a meta-analysis was performed, and difference of means (DIFFM) as calculated.


RESULTS
In total, 971 unique papers were found of which five met the eligibility criteria. The DIFFM of the meta-analysis of four 6-month studies showed that the EOMW provided significantly better plaque control (DIFFM = 0.39, P < 0.00001) and gingival inflammation reduction as measured by the Löe and Silness Index (DIFFM = 0.36, P = 0.00001) as compared to the V-Sol. Regarding extrinsic tooth staining, a small but significant difference (DIFFM = -0.08, P = 0.03) was observed.


CONCLUSIONS
Limited data, but with a low risk of bias, were available to assess the potential benefit of the alcohol-containing V-Sol. 'High'- and 'moderate'-quality data were available for the analysis of plaque and gingivitis, respectively. Within these limitations, EOMW appears to provide a significant oral health benefit during the 6 months of use. The data retrieved for this review suggest that the essential oils produce an effect on plaque and gingivitis that extends beyond the V-Sol. Furthermore, the V-Sol proved to be no different from a WC.
Department of Periodontology (ACTA), Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Dentistry Clinic, Bussum, the Netherlands.
M P C
MP
Van Leeuwen
D E
DE
Slot
G A
GA
Van der Weijden
D003773:Dental Plaque / Q000517:prevention & control*; D004338:Drug Combinations; D005891:Gingivitis / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006801:Humans; D009067:Mouthwashes / Q000737:chemistry / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D009822:Oils, Volatile / Q000737:chemistry / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D010512:Periodontal Index; D014677:Pharmaceutical Vehicles; D010636:Phenols / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012459:Salicylates / Q000627:therapeutic use; D013729:Terpenes / Q000627:therapeutic use
D004338:Drug Combinations; D009067:Mouthwashes; D009822:Oils, Volatile; D014677:Pharmaceutical Vehicles; D010636:Phenols; D012459:Salicylates; D013729:Terpenes; C057473:Listerine
alcohol; bleeding; essential oils; extrinsic tooth stain; gingivitis; listerine; mouthrinse; plaque; systematic review