Control of Plaque and Gingivitis by an Herbal Toothpaste - A Randomised Controlled Study

Area of Science:

• Periodontology
• Dental Therapeutics
• Herbal Medicine

Background:

• Chronic periodontitis affects a significant portion of the adult population.
• Effective plaque and gingivitis control are crucial for managing periodontal disease.
• Conventional toothpastes often contain chemical agents, prompting interest in natural alternatives.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the efficacy of an herbal toothpaste compared to two chemically active toothpastes.
• The study aimed to assess plaque and gingivitis control in patients with chronic periodontitis.
• To determine if the herbal formulation offers a viable alternative to conventional treatments.

Main Methods:

• A 24-week randomized controlled trial involving 76 participants with chronic periodontitis.
• Participants were assigned to use either an herbal toothpaste, a triclosan/copolymer toothpaste, or an amine/stannous fluoride toothpaste.
• Clinical parameters including Oral Hygiene Index (OHI), Approximal Plaque Index (API), Sulcus Bleeding Index (SBI), and Bleeding on Probing (BOP) were recorded.

Main Results:

• All toothpaste groups showed moderate changes in API and OHI.
• The herbal toothpaste demonstrated significantly lower API and OHI compared to the fluoride toothpaste (p=0.001 and p=0.049).
• Significant improvements in SBI were observed in all groups after 12 weeks, and BOP was consistently lower in the herbal group (p=0.001).

Conclusions:

• The herbal toothpaste was found to be as effective as conventional chemical toothpastes in controlling plaque and gingivitis over 24 weeks.
• No adverse side effects were reported with the use of the herbal toothpaste.
• The tested herbal toothpaste presents a suitable alternative for improving periodontal health without artificial chemical ingredients.