Effect of mixed chlorhexidine and hydrogen peroxide mouthrinses on developing plaque and stain in gingivitis patients: a randomized clinical trial

Aims To evaluate the effects of mixed chlorhexidine (CHX)/hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) mouthrinses compared with CHX mouthrinse alone on plaque, tooth stain, and gingivitis. Materials and methods This study was a double-blind, randomized two group parallel experiment, using a 14-day non-brushing half-mouth model. The test group was randomly assigned to the mixed 0.12% CHX and 1.5% H(2)O(2)mouthrinse, whereas the control group used 0.12% CHX. Sixty healthy volunteers were enrolled in the study and received scaling and polishing 2 weeks prior to the experiment and then rinsed with the allocated mouthrinses twice daily for 2 weeks. The plaque, stain, and gingivitis scores were evaluated and recorded by a calibrated investigator. Results Fifty-two subjects completed the study (CHX + H(2)O(2)n = 25/CHXn = 27). There were significant differences between the control and test groups for plaque index (CHX 0.64 +/- 0.41 vs. CHX + H(2)O(2)0.46 +/- 0.36,p = 0.035) and stain intensity at proximal areas (CHX 0.26 +/- 0.36 vs. CHX + H(2)O(2)0.09 +/- 0.14,p = 0.019) at the end of the experimental non-brushing side. However, the gingival indices did not differ significantly (CHX 0.61 +/- 0.34 vs. CHX + H(2)O(2)0.62 +/- 0.31,p = 0.938) between groups. Conclusions In the absence of oral hygiene practice, the mixed CHX + H(2)O(2)mouthrinse was slightly superior in reducing plaque scores and stain compared with CHX alone.

Automated summary

The study suggests that the mixed chlorhexidine and hydrogen peroxide mouthrinse is slightly more effective in reducing plaque and tooth stain compared to using chlorhexidine mouthrinse alone under conditions of inadequate oral hygiene.