Positive Health Online

Abstract

SCHERER and colleagues, New York University College of Dentistry, NY USA wsch123@aol.com conducted an examiner-blinded, parallel-group clinical trial to study the ability of an herbal mouthrinse to reduce gingival bleeding .

Background

Methodology

40 healthy adult volunteers participated in this study. In order to be eligible for a baseline clinical exam, all recruits had to satisfy the criteria that they habitually brushed their teeth at least twice per day, had noticed "bleeding gums" or "blood in the toothpaste" following brushing or flossing their teeth. At baseline, subjects were enrolled in the study if they had at least 5 Loe-Silness gingival bleeding sites and 20 natural teeth, including 4 molars. The volunteers were assigned to one of two treatment groups: 1) Herbal mouth and gum therapy; or 2) Control (distilled water and dye). The participants were instructed to clean their teeth in the usual way, not to use any other mouthrinses or oral irrigation for the 3 months of the study, when they returned for clinical examinations, at which time gingivitis and gingival bleeding scores were recorded. Prior to the treatment, there were no significant differences between the baseline evaluations of the 2 groups in the study.

Results

Compared to the Control treatment, herbal mouth and gum therapy produced a statistically significant effect upon both gingivitis and bleeding scores .

Conclusion

The data from this study demonstrate the clinical efficacy of Herbal mouth and gum therapy in reducing gingivitis and gingival bleeding.

References

Scherer W et al. The ability of an herbal mouthrinse to reduce gingival bleeding. The Journal of Clinical Dentistry 9(4): 97-100. 1998.