[Comparative effects of essential oil-containing mouthrinse on reduction of plaque and gingivitis]

The purpose of this study was to determine the efficacy of reducing plaque and gingivitis when used as an adjunct to normal oral hygiene routine and regular professional care.

Eighty-two adult subjects were enrolled into a 6-month, double-blind, controlled parallel-designed clinical study. After being scaled and polished, they were randomized into two groups: essential oil-containing mouthrinse group and placebo mouthrinse group. Everyone rinsed twice a day for 6 months with 20 mL mouthrinse. The subjects were provided with a soft nylon toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste and were asked not to use any other mouthrinse during the study. At baseline and at 3- and 6-month, subjects were evaluated for supragingival plaque and gingivitis. SPSS 13.0 software package was used for statistical analysis(student's t test).

At 3- month, the essential oil-containing mouthrinse significantly produced a 9.02% inhibition of supragingival plaque development and a 11.88% inhibition of gingivitis development compared with the control group. At 6-month, the essential oil-containing mouthrinse significantly produced a 16.98% inhibition of supragingival plaque development and a 21.47% inhibition of gingivitis development compared with the control group.

The essential oil-containing mouthrinse demonstrates a significant reduction in dental plaque, gingivitis and enhances overall gingival health compared with using placebo rinse.