title: The effects of an Ayurvedic medicinal toothpaste on clinical, microbiological and oral hygiene parameters in patients with chronic gingivitis: a double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled, parallel allocation clinical trial.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Plant derived preparations have been essential components for maintenance of oral hygiene and the treatment of oral diseases globally since ancient times. Acacia chundra Willd, Adhatoda vasica Nees., Mimusops elengi L., Piper nigrum L., Pongamia pinnate L. Pirerre, Quercus infectoria Olivier., Syzygium aromaticum L., Terminalia chebula Retz., Zingiber offici-nale Roscoe., individually or in combination, have been used for this purpose because of their beneficial effects.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To study the efficacy of an Ayurvedic toothpaste containing these herbs in patients with chronic gingivitis.
  
  
  METHODS
  Otherwise healthy males and non-pregnant females (n=80) aged 18-35 years with ≥20 teeth were randomly assigned to Group 1 (herbal toothpaste) and Group 2 (placebo toothpaste). Quigley Hein plaque index (PS), bleeding on probing (BOP) and probing pocket depth (PPD), were recorded for all teeth at six sites, and one ml of resting saliva was collected to ascertain anaerobic and aerobic bacterial counts at baseline, and at 4, 8, 12 and 24 weeks. Full-mouth prophylaxis was performed and instructions for brushing with the allocated toothpaste for 6 months were given at baseline. Sixty-six participants, 34 in Group 1 and 32 in Group 2 completed the study. Clinical examinations were performed by the same examiner blinded to group allocation.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Linear mixed model analysis revealed significant reductions of PS, BOP, PPD (p<0.0001) and total salivary anaerobic counts (p<0.05) in Group 1 at all prescribed visits compared to Group 2. Moreover the reduction increased overtime. No unpleasant effects of toothpaste use were reported.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study provides robust evidence of the beneficial antiplaque and antigingivitis effects of the test herbal toothpaste Sudantha® on patients with chronic gingivitis.
authors.affiliation: Departments of Oral Medicine and Periodontology, University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Howshigan
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Perera
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Samita
authors.forename: P S
authors.initials: PS
authors.lastname: Rajapakse
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D058491:Bacterial Load; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003774:Dental Plaque Index; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D005891:Gingivitis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D016014:Linear Models; D008297:Male; D008515:Medicine, Ayurvedic; D009911:Oral Hygiene Index; D010512:Periodontal Index; D028321:Plant Preparations / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012463:Saliva / Q000382:microbiology*; D014100:Toothpastes / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D028321:Plant Preparations; D014100:Toothpastes