The Effects of the Mixture of Herbal Extract on Developing Plaque and Gingivitis

Shin, Sug Rang; Kim, Sung Jo

Abstract

This double-blind controlled clinical and microbiological study was carried out to determine the effects of mouthwash preparation containing the mixture of herbal extract on developing plaque and gingivitis in the experimental gingivitis model. Following a 2-week normalization period, 34 dental students were distributed randomly into 1 of 3 treatment groups. They rinsed, under supervision, two times daily for 3 weeks with either normal saline(CT), 0.1% chlorhexidine(CH), or the mixture of herbal extract (HT), but refrained from any oral hygiene measures. The Plaque Index(PlI), the Gingival Index(GI), and the amount of Gingival Crevicular Fluid(GCF) were measured at week 0, 1, 2, and 3 of the experimental period, while the assessment of total wet weight of plaque and the phase contrast microscopic examination of plaque were performed at the end of experimental period(3 weeks). Subjects using mouthrinse preparation containing the mixture of herbal extract demonstrated negligible, if any, changes in the accumulation and microbial composition of plaque compared to those using normal saline, while the reduction of gingival inflammation by this mixture was highly significant and comparable to that of chlorhexidine. The results of this study indicate that the preparation containing the mixture of herbal extract do not provide any antiplaque benefits but is very effective in inhibiting the development of and in reducing existing experimental gingivitis when used as mouthrinse. Further research is needed to determine whether a significant reduction of gingival inflammation without a concomitant decrease in plaque accumulation is of clinical importance.