Adjunctive benefit of an essential oil-containing mouthrinse in reducing plaque and gingivitis in patients who brush and floss regularly - A six-month study

Background. Mechanical methods of oral hygiene can be complemented by the use of chemotherapeutic mouthrinses. The authors sought to quantify the additional benefit provided by an essential oil-, or just EO-, containing mouthrinse in reducing plaque and gingivitis in patients who brush and floss regularly. Methods. The authors randomly assigned patients with gingivitis to one of three groups: brushing and rinsing with a control mouthrinse, or BC, brushing, flossing and rinsing with a control mouthrinse, or BFC, or brushing, flossing and rinsing with an EO-containing mouthrinse, or BFEO. Patients recieved a dental dental prophylaxis at baseline, and the authors followed them for six months. Results. of 246 enrolled in the study, 237 subjects were evaluable at the study's conclusion. After six months, the subjects using the BFEO regimen had statistically and clinically lower mean Modified Gingival Index, or MGI, scores and the Plaque Index, or PI, scores than did the subjects in ther BC group (29.9 percent and 56.3 percent, respectively, P < .001). Subjects in the BFC group had significantly lower mean MGI and PI scores than did the subjects in the BC group (11.2 percent and 9.3 percent, respectively; P < .001). Subjects in the BFEO group exhibited statistically and clinically significantly lower mean scores for MGI and PI than did subjects in the BFC group (21 percent and 51.9 percent respectively; P < .001). Conclusion. This study confirms that for patients with gingivitis who brush and flosh routinely, the adjunctive use of an EO-containing mouthrinse provides a clinically significant and meaningful addititonal benefit in reducing plaque and gingivitis. Clinical Implications. An EO-containing mouthrinse is an effective adjunct to regular brushing and flossing. Therefore, the BFEO regimen can be beneficial for patients with gingival inflammation.