Efficacy of subgingival irrigation using herbal extracts on gingival inflammation

The aim of the present study was to investigate the efficacy of an herbal-based mouthrinse in combination with an oral irrigator in reducing gingival inflammation.

A total of 89 patients (45 females, 44 males; mean age 49.1 +/- 1.31 years) were included in this prospective, randomized, double-blind clinical study and allocated to 3 treatment groups: group 1 (n = 34), treated with an oral irrigator with subgingival tips and an herbal-based mouthrinse; group 2 (n = 29), the oral irrigator was applied in combination with a conventional mouthwash; and group 3 (n = 26), treated with the conventional mouthwash without subgingival irrigation. Data collected at baseline and after 4, 8, and 12 weeks included gingival index (GI), sulcus bleeding index (SBI), plaque index (PI), and probing depth (PD).

Over a period of 3 months, GI decreased from 1.80 +/- 0.04 to 1.56 +/- 0.04 in group 1; from 1.79 +/- 0.05 to 1.68 +/- 0.04 in group 2; and remained nearly constant in group 3 (from 1.79 +/- 0.05 to 1.81 +/- 0.04). Differences between the groups were significant (analysis of variance, P < 0.05). SBI values in group 1 were reduced from 2.51 +/- 0.06 to 2.13 +/- 0.06 after 3 months and were significantly lower than in group 2 (P = 0.001) and 3 (P = 0.002), with SBIs of 2.44 +/- 0.06 and 2.42 +/- 0.07, respectively, after 12 weeks. A reduction in PI was noted for all 3 groups throughout the follow-up period, with no statistically significant differences. Probing depths were not reduced significantly in any group.

Subgingival irrigation with an herbal-based mouthrinse led to a significant reduction in both SBI and GI. This regimen can, therefore, be recommended as an adjunctive procedure to reduce gingival inflammation.