Evaluation of a new mouthwash formulated with Chlorhexidine and Cymenol after a scaling and root planing treatment in grade I and II periodontal patients.

BACKGROUND: Periodontal disease (PD) is a chronic inflammatory disease of multifactorial origin that affects the supporting tissues of the tooth. According to WHO in 2022, severe periodontal disease will affect around 19% of the adult population worldwide. Its risk factors include the presence of periodontopathogenic bacteria in biofilm and the susceptibility of the host's immune system, among others. Preterm birth is defined as birth occurring before 37 weeks of gestational age. It also has a multifactorial origin and it's associated with risk factors such as intrauterine and extrauterine infections. There is a possibility that periodontal disease in pregnant women increases the risk of preterm birth through hematogenous pathways or the presence and intervention of inflammatory mediators. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Through a systematic review of existing scientific articles from 2014 to 2024, five randomized clinical trials were selected, including a total of 1984 pregnant patients diagnosed with periodontal disease. Half of these patients received non-surgical treatment, while the other half did not, aiming to evaluate a possible association between periodontal disease and/or its treatment and the occurrence of preterm birth. The risk of bias was assessed using the Cochrane "RoB 2" tool, and finally, a meta-analysis was conducted to compare the results obtained in the selected studies. RESULTS: Four articles showed a trend favoring non-surgical periodontal treatment as a preventive measure for preterm birth. These articles accounted for 92.2% of the total weight, while the remaining 7.85% corresponded to the single article that did not favor the treatment. However, none of the articles showed statistically significant results. CONCLUSIONS: There is no demonstrated association between periodontal disease in pregnant women and the incidence of preterm birth. On the other hand, there is a slightly favorable trend towards non-surgical periodontal treatment during pregnancy as a measure to reduce the incidence of preterm birth, but it's not statistically significant. To obtain a definitive answer, more randomized clinical trials following similar study and design parameters are needed.

Effect of chloramine T and chlorhexidine in reducing gingivitis in patients admitted to a reference hospital for cardiopulmonary care: a randomized, controlled clinical trial.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of Chloramine T in reducing gingivitis in hospitalized patients, in addition to providing an alternative to the use of Chlorhexidine. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A randomized, triple-blind, placebo controlled clinical trial was performed with 45 volunteers presenting with gingivitis, using the Löe Gingival Index (LGI). Patients were randomly allocated into one of three groups: (G1): Chloramine T 0.2%; (G2): Chlorhexidine 0.12% and (G3): distilled water. RESULTS: After five days, the control group (G3) remained without relevant differences in relation to the first pre-treatment assessment, while the groups tested with chlorhexidine and chloramine T showed improvement in the LGI (p < 0.05). After ten days, G3 maintained the results of the previous assessments, G1 repeated the five-day assessment and G2 obtained a statistically significant difference, with a better result in relation to the previous assessment (p < 0.05). After fifteen days, G3 showed no differences in relation to the other assessments, G1 had a statistically significant difference, showing better performance in relation to the previous assessment and G2 continued the gradual improvement it had been showing in the LGI (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Chloramine T and Chlorhexidine present similar results in the treatment of gingivitis, when evaluated by probing by the LGI, and Chloramine T can be used effectively, without causing the adverse effects inherent to prolonged use of chlorhexidine. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Importance of oral hygiene for patients admitted to hospitals with the use of adjuvant substances that do not present adverse effects such as chlorhexidine, which is considered the gold standard, seeking to provide better clinical protocols.

The Effect of Actives in Desensitizing and Conventional Mouth Rinses Against Dentin Erosive Wear.

This study evaluated the effect of actives present in conventional and desensitizing mouth rinses on the control of dentin erosive tooth wear. Two hundred and seventy dentin specimens from human molars were prepared. The specimens were randomly allocated into 10 experimental groups (n=10): 4 corresponding to desensitizing mouth rinses, 4 to conventional mouth rinses, a negative control group (C-: distilled water), and a positive control group (C+: 500 ppm fluoride plus 800 ppm tin mouth rinse). Specimens were subjected to an erosion-abrasion cycling model: 5 min immersion in 0.3% citric acid and 60 min exposure to artificial saliva. This procedure was repeated 4x/day for 5 days. Immediately after the first and last erosive challenges, the specimens were brushed with a slurry of fluoride toothpaste for 15 s, with a total of 2 min exposure to the slurry. Afterward, the specimens were exposed to the mouth rinses. Dentin surface loss (SL, in µm) was determined by optical profilometry. Data were statistically analyzed by using Kruskal-Wallis and Dunn's tests (α=0.05). The only mouth rinses that presented significantly lower dentin SL than the C- was a desensitizing one containing sodium fluoride (220 ppm F-) with dipotassium oxalate (1.4%) and the C+ (p<0.001 and p=0.013, respectively), without significant differences between them (p>0.05). Dentin SL of the other groups did not significantly differ from the C- (p>0.05). The combination of sodium fluoride with dipotassium oxalate in a desensitizing mouth rinse showed a promising result against dentin erosive wear, matching the protection offered by a fluoride/tin mouth rinse.

Tinidazole mouth rinse for the treatment of oral lichen planus: an observational pilot study.

BACKGROUND: Given the limited treatment options available for oral lichen planus (OLP), a study was undertaken to obtain preliminary information on the therapeutic efficacy of tinidazole mouth rinse in patients with OLP. METHODS: A prospective, open-label pilot study was conducted to assess the efficacy of thrice-daily tinidazole mouth rinse for one week in OLP patients (n = 27). Reticulation/erythema/ulceration (REU) scores and visual analog scale (VAS) scores were used to measure lesions at baseline and after one week of treatment. Mucosal samples were collected, and the abundance of Fusobacterium nucleatum was quantified using RT-PCR. Statistical analysis using t-test, Wilcoxon signed rank test and Pearson correlation test. RESULTS: After treatment, VAS scores significantly decreased in both reticular (P = 0.03) and erosive OLP patients (P = 0.003). However, REU scores significantly decreased only in erosive OLP patients (P = 0.002). The relative abundance of Fusobacterium nucleatum on the damaged mucosa surface significantly decreased in all OLP patients (P = 0.01). In erosive OLP patients, the triamcinolone group showed a significantly greater improvement in VAS scores compared to the tinidazole group (P = 0.01). However, there was no statistically significant correlation between the relative abundance of Fusobacterium nucleatum and REU scores in OLP patients (r = 0.0754, P = 0.61). CONCLUSION: Tinidazole mouth rinse showed potential in reducing disease severity in OLP patients and was well-tolerated, suggesting its viability as a local therapeutic option. However, randomized controlled studies are warranted to confirm these preliminary findings.

Effectiveness of Oral Rinse as an Adjunct to Toothbrushing: A 6-Week Clinical Trial Management of Plaque and Gingivitis With Daily Oral Rinsing.

A common condition found in many patients, gingival inflammation results from irritation from dental plaque and the bacteria contained in plaque. Although effective management of dental plaque and the resulting gingivitis through daily homecare continues to be heavily emphasized, the high prevalence of oral diseases globally suggests that most individuals do not achieve sufficient plaque removal with their manual toothbrushing routine. To help enhance a patient's homecare regimen, daily oral rinsing has been shown to improve oral hygiene. The simple use of mouthwash after toothbrushing optimizes plaque removal while leading to an improvement in gingival health. This article reviews a single-center, randomized, controlled, single-blind, 6-week study designed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of a professional chlorhexidine alternative oral care mouthrinse as an adjunct to toothbrushing with sodium fluoride toothpaste with regard to plaque removal and gingivitis reduction.

A randomised clinical trial to arrest caries using silver diamine fluoride therapy with two postoperative instructions.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study is to investigate the beneficial effect of not rinsing for 30 min in arresting early childhood caries after SDF therapy. METHODS: This randomised clinical trial recruited 3- to 4-year-old kindergarten children with active (soft) dentine caries. A questionnaire was sent to the parents to collect children's demographic data and oral health-related behaviours. A dentist conducted an oral examination and measured the caries experience using dmft index and oral hygiene using visible plaque index. After 38 % SDF therapy, the children were randomly allocated into two groups. Children in group A were instructed to rinse with water immediately, whereas children in group B were asked to refrain from rinsing, drinking, or eating for 30 min. After six months, the same examiner determined the lesion activity (active/arrest) of the SDF-treated carious tooth surface. Generalized Estimating Equations was used to compare the proportion of caries arrest (caries-arrest rate) between the two groups. RESULTS: This study recruited 298 children with 1,158 decayed tooth surfaces receiving SDF therapy at baseline and evaluated 275 (92 %) children with 1,069 (92 %) SDF-treated tooth-surface at the six-month examination. The demographic background, oral hygiene and caries status of two groups were comparable at baseline (p > 0.05). The caries-arrest rate for group A and group B were 65 % (337/519) and 61 % (338/550), respectively (p = 0.28). CONCLUSION: This randomised clinical trial found not rinsing for 30 min after SDF therapy is not better than immediate rinsing in arresting early childhood caries. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Topical SDF application leaves an unpleasant taste in the mouth, which may affect the acceptance or even rejection of SDF therapy among young children. This study provides clinicians with information to make their decision on postoperative instruction after SDF therapy.

Comparison of the anti-plaque and anti-gingivitis efficacy of Chlorhexidine and Malva mouthwashes: Randomized crossover clinical trial.

OBJECTIVES: Although mechanical oral hygiene is widely practiced, it faces several challenges. Mouthwashes, such as chlorhexidine (CHX), are being explored as adjuncts to biofilm control, but their prolonged use has several side effects. Consequently, there is ongoing research into natural alternatives. This randomized crossover clinical study aimed to compare the antiplaque and antigingivitis efficacy of 0.12 % CHX and a 5 % Malva sylvestris. METHODS: Forty-four participants were involved in two phases, each comprising three stages with variations in the mouthwash solution used only. During the study, participants refrained from mechanical plaque removal for seven days. At first day, they received whole-mouth prophylaxis and oral health assessment. After three days, gingival inflammation assessment and prophylaxis in were performed in contralateral quadrants. Participants then used a randomly assigned mouthwash solution for four days. On the 7th day, they completed a questionnaire about their perception and appreciation of the mouthwash. Additionally, gingival inflammation and plaque index were also performed by a calibrated examiner. After a minimum 21-day washout period, participants entered the second phase, repeating the three stages. RESULTS: Results showed no statistically significant differences between the Malva sylvestris and CHX groups regarding inflammation and plaque formation. However, CHX demonstrated a significantly greater mean reduction (7th - 4th day) in gingival inflammation compared to Malva (p = 0.02) (0.01 ± 0.19 and 0.00 ± 0.19, respectively). Additionally, participants using CHX reported a more pleasant taste and considered higher plaque control perception (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, both products exhibited similar antiplaque effects, but CHX outperformed Malva in controlling gingival inflammation. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Mouthwashes with Malva sylvestris may be a good alternative, in a short-term period, to control biofilm. However, lower antigingivitis efficacy may be expected when compared to chlorhexidine.

Assessment of a combined mouthwash on pain relief in pericoronitis: a randomized clinical study.

BACKGROUND: Pericoronitis, an inflammation near wisdom teeth, often occurs when they are partially emerged, especially in the lower jaw. Commonly, the gingiva partially envelops the tooth. Treatments vary from gingival surgery to extraction. This study assessed the efficacy of a mouthwash with Chlorhexidine, Benzydamine, Nanosilver, Amoxicillin, and Metronidazole for pain reduction and enhancement of maximum mouth opening in acute pericoronitis cases. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this randomized controlled clinical trial conducted at the Gorgan Dental Faculty, 48 pericoronitis patients were randomized into two groups. The control group used a 0.12% chlorhexidine mouthwash, while the case group used a mouthwash containing Chlorhexidine, Benzydamine, Nanosilver, Amoxicillin, and Metronidazole. The study recorded Visual Analog Scale (VAS) scores for 7 days, and Maximum mouth opening (MMO) was measured at the start and after 7 days. The analysis was performed using SPSS v20. RESULTS: In this study, we compared the effects of a combined mouthwash with those of a chlorhexidine mouthwash on pericoronitis in 48 patients, with an average age of 21.56 years. No significant difference in pain reduction was observed between the groups; however, both groups exhibited decreased pain and improved MMO post-treatment. The gender distribution was balanced across both groups. CONCLUSION: The results indicate that both chlorhexidine mouthwash and combined mouthwash significantly improved maximum mouth opening. Nonetheless, there were no notable differences in efficacy between the two groups. These findings suggest that these mouthwashes may be beneficial for oral hygiene, warranting further in-depth research. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Registered on 12/03/2023, registration number IRCT20230104057046N1.

Oral Hygiene With Neutral Electrolyzed Water and Systemic Therapy Increases Gastric Helicobacter pylori Eradication and Reduces Recurrence.

OBJECTIVES: Helicobacter pylori gastric infection strongly correlates with gastric diseases such as chronic gastritis, functional dyspepsia, and complications such as peptic ulcers and gastric cancer. In developing countries, systemic therapies are not usually successful due to elevated antibiotic resistance. Additionally, oral H. pylori infection and periodontal disease correlate with gastric treatment failures. This study aimed to explore the effect of an integral therapy, comprising oral hygiene and concomitant systemic treatment, to increase the eradication of gastric infection and recurrences. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A prospective, randomized, four-arm, parallel-group, open-label clinical trial was conducted to investigate the efficacy of integral therapy to eradicate gastric H. pylori infection and avoid recurrences in double-positive (real-time PCR oral and gastric infection) patients. Oral hygiene involved mouthwash with neutral electrolyzed water (NEW), with or without periodontal treatment. One hundred patients were equally distributed into four groups: NS, NS-PT, NEW, and NEW-PT. All patients had concomitant systemic therapy and additionally, the following oral treatments: mouthwash with normal saline (NS), periodontal treatment and mouthwash with normal saline (NS-PT), mouthwash with NEW (NEW), and periodontal treatment and mouthwash with NEW (NEW-PT). Gastric and oral infection and symptoms were evaluated one and four months after treatments. RESULTS: Integral therapy with NEW-PT increased gastric eradication rates compared with NS or NS-PT (84%-96% vs. 20%-56%; p < 0.001). Even more, a protective effect of 81.2% (RR = 0.1877; 95% CI: 0.0658-0.5355; p = 0.0018) against recurrences and 76.6% (RR = 0.2439; 95% CI: 0.1380-0.4310; p < 0.001) against treatment failure (eradication of infection and associated symptoms) was observed in patients from the NEW and NEW-PT groups. CONCLUSIONS: Implementation of oral hygiene and systemic treatment can increase the eradication of gastric infection, associated symptoms, and recurrences. NEW is recommended as an antiseptic mouthwash due to its efficacy and short- and long-term safety.

Effectiveness of herbal oral care products in reducing dental plaque and gingivitis: an overview of systematic reviews.

Introduction: Numerous clinical trials and systematic reviews have investigated the effectiveness of both herbal and conventional oral care approaches to reducing plaque and gingivitis. However, their findings vary and are inconsistent. Thus, the objective of this umbrella review is to compile data from systematic reviews and provide an overview of the effects of herbal oral care products on tooth plaque and gingivitis. Methods: A comprehensive search of the literature was performed in 6 databases for systematic reviews with or without meta-analyses, published up to 30 May 2023, without any language restrictions. Only clinical trials comparing herbal oral care products (in the form of mouthrinse or toothpaste) against standard oral care products or placebo were considered. Results: Some herbal oral care products, particularly in the form of mouthrinses, have a similar level of positive effect on plaque and gingivitis reduction and, thus, can be used as an adjunct to traditional dentifrices. However, the shorter duration of trials (<4 weeks) and reported publication bias in the clinical trials mean that these findings must be interpreted with caution. Conclusion: To accurately determine the impact of various herbal extracts on periodontal health, well-designed, long-term, and controlled trials that adhere to standardized protocols must be carried out.

Introduction: On a étudié l'efficacité d'approches de soins buccodentaires classiques et à base de plantes pour lutter contre la plaque dentaire et la gingivite dans le cadre de nombreux essais cliniques et revues systématiques. Toutefois, leurs conclusions ont été variables et incohérentes. Cette revue générale vise donc à compiler des données issues de revues systématiques et de présenter un aperçu des effets des produits de soins buccodentaires à base de plantes sur la plaque dentaire et la gingivite. Méthodes: On a procédé à une recherche documentaire exhaustive dans 6 bases de données pour effectuer des revues systématiques, avec ou sans méta-analyses, sans aucune restriction relative à la langue de l'étude, publiées avant le 30 mai 2023. Seuls des essais cliniques comparant des produits de soins buccodentaires à base de plantes (sous forme de rincebouche ou de dentifrice) à des produits de soins buccodentaires classiques ou à des placebos ont été envisagés. Résultats: Quelques produits de soins buccodentaires à base de plantes, en particulier les rince-bouches de ce type, ont des effets positifs comparables en matière de réduction de la plaque et de la gingivite et peuvent donc être utilisés en complément des dentifrices ordinaires. Toutefois, ces résultats doivent être interprétés avec prudence du fait de la durée relativement courte des essais (moins de 4 semaines) et du biais de publication signalé dans les essais cliniques. Conclusion: Pour déterminer avec précision les effets de divers extraits de plantes sur la santé parodontale, il est nécessaire d'avoir recours à des essais bien conçus, à long terme et contrôlés, qui respectent des protocoles normalisés.

Effect of Using Mouthwash Containing Cibotium barometz J. Smith on Cariogenic Bacteria and Acid-producing Ability of Saliva: A Randomised Blinded Clinical Trial.

PURPOSE: To examine the anti-caries effect of mouthwashes containing Cibotium barometz J. Smith (CB), a natural substance, and compare it with chlorhexidine and saline solution. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A randomised, blinded clinical trial was conducted on 76 study participants. The differences between the 3 gargle groups (saline gargle: SAL; chlorhexidine gargle: CHX; CB gargle group: CB) and the differences over time (baseline, after 1 week, after 2 weeks) were compared. To this end, ANOVA was performed on caries-related clinical indicators (e.g. O'Leary plaque index, caries activity, and satisfaction). RESULTS: The O'Leary index, caries activity, and saliva tests, gradually improved in group CB at one and two weeks. In the case of bacterial tests, unlike SAL and CHX, only in group CB did the decrease occur one and two weeks later. The caries-related indicators decreased significantly over time in group CB compared to SAL and CHX groups, and there was also a statistically significant difference in interaction between groups and time (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The mouthwash containing CB extract showed statistically significant improvement in biofilm adhesion as well as the saliva and bacterial tests compared to SAL and CHX. However, since there were differences in the initial oral conditions of the three groups, additional long-term research is needed through crossover clinical trials to supplement these.

Soluble CD44 in oral rinses for the early detection of cancer: a prospective cohort study in high-risk individuals.

BACKGROUND: There are 54,000 new cases of oral cavity and oropharyngeal cancer in the United States and more than 476,000 worldwide each year. Oral cavity and oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma make up most tumors with five-year survival rates of 50% due to prevalence of late-stage diagnoses. Improved methods of early detection in high-risk individuals are urgently needed. We aimed to assess the tumorigenic biomarkers soluble CD44 (solCD44) and total protein (TP) measured using oral rinses as affordable convenient screening tools for cancer detection. METHODS: In this prospective cohort study, we recruited 150 healthy current or former smokers through a community screening program. Baseline and four annual visits were conducted from March 2011-January 2016 with records followed until August 2020. Participants provided oral rinses, received head and neck exams, and completed questionnaires. SolCD44 and TP levels were measured and compared across groups and time. Participants were placed in the cancer group if malignancy developed in the study period, the suspicious group if physical exams were concerning for premalignant disease or cancer in the head and neck, and the healthy group if there were no suspicious findings. This analysis used two-sample t-test for comparison of means and two-sample Wilcoxon Test for comparison of medians. For subjects with follow-ups, estimated means of biomarkers were obtained from a fitted Repeated Measures Analysis of Variance (RANOVA) model including group, visit, and their interaction. Pairwise comparisons of mean solCD44 were made, including intergroup and intragroup comparison of values at different years. RESULTS: Most participants were males (58.7%), < 60 years of age. (90.7%), and Black (100%). Baseline mean solCD44 was elevated (2.781 ng/ml) in the cancer group compared to the suspicious group (1.849 ng/ml) and healthy group (1.779 ng/ml). CONCLUSION: This study supports the feasibility of a CD44-based oral rinse test as an affordable and convenient adjunctive tool for early detection of aerodigestive tract and other cancers in high-risk populations.

Impact of various solutions on the oral health status of critically ill patients.

Oral care is a crucial challenge of nursing care in orally intubated patients. Oropharyngeal colonization with microorganisms is probably the first step in the pathogenesis of most bacterial pulmonary infections. This study aimed to investigate the effect of different oral care solutions on the oral health status of critically ill patients. We conducted a quasi-experimental study involving a convenience sample of 60 adult orally intubated patients, distributed equally into three groups: 20 patients received 0.12% chlorhexidine gluconate (CHX) solution as an oral rinse; 20 patients received 0.1% hexetidine (HEX) solution as an oral rinse; and a control group of 20 patients received routine hospital oral care with 0.9% normal saline (NS) solution. Oropharyngeal and tracheal cultures were obtained from patients within 24-48 h of admission, before the administration of topical oral antimicrobial solutions and then repeated on day 4 and day 7 after the oral solutions. The study revealed that CHX has a more powerful effect than HEX and NS in improving the oral mucosa and decreasing colonization of both the oropharynx and trachea. On day 7, the improvements were statistically significant in the CHX group and the HEX group (P = 0.02 and P = 0.03, respectively), but not in the NS group. This research confirms the effect of CHX and HEX in lowering the risk of tracheal and oropharyngeal colonization, and recommends the use of a CHX solution as oral mouth care in critically ill patients.

How well do antimicrobial mouth rinses prevent dysbiosis in an in vitro periodontitis biofilm model?

BACKGROUND: Periodontal diseases are associated with dysbiosis in the oral microbial communities. Managing oral biofilms is therefore key for preventing these diseases. Management protocols often include over-the-counter antimicrobial mouth rinses, which lack data on their effects on the oral microbiome's ecology, bacterial composition, metabolic activity, and dysbiosis resilience. This study examined the efficacy of antimicrobial mouth rinses to halt dysbiosis in in vitro oral biofilms under periodontitis-simulating conditions. METHODS: Multispecies oral biofilms were grown on hydroxyapatite discs (HADs) and rinsed daily with one of six mouth rinses. Positive and negative controls were included. After three rinses, biofilms were analyzed with viability quantitative polymerase chain reaction and visualized using scanning electron microscopy. Supernatants of rinsed biofilms were used for metabolic activity analysis. In addition, human oral keratinocytes were exposed to rinsed biofilms to assess their inflammatory response. All outputs were analyzed for correlation using Spearman coefficient. RESULTS: Product-related changes were observed in the rinsed biofilms. Three of the six tested mouth rinses could significantly prevent dysbiosis with ≥30% reduction in pathobiont abundance relative to the control. These biofilms had lower metabolic activity, and the exposed human oral keratinocyte produced less interleukin-8. Interleukin-8 production correlated to both pathobiont quantity and the metabolic activity of the biofilms. CONCLUSION: Some mouth rinses could support biofilm resilience and stop dysbiosis evolution in the biofilm model, with a clear product-related effect. Such mouth rinses can be considered for patients under maintenance/supportive periodontal therapy to prevent/delay disease recurrence. Others are more useful for different periodontal therapy stages.

Pilot, open-label, randomized controlled clinical trial evaluating 4 oral hygiene regimens using a manual toothbrush, toothpaste, and mouthwash.

In this prospective pilot study, 84 patients with a history of poor oral hygiene were enrolled in an open-label, interventional, randomized controlled clinical trial. The aim was to provide preliminary clinical data on a new line of oral hygiene products containing a prebiotic and a paraprobiotic based on Lactobacillus plantarum. The recruitment rate and patient satisfaction were analyzed to estimate resources for the future primary study, and descriptive data on rebalancing of the oral microbiota were collected. The population was divided into 5 groups based on the products assigned to the patients: 1, delicate mint toothpaste (n = 20); 2, mint toothpaste (n = 12); 3, mint mouthwash (n = 20); 4, delicate mint toothpaste, mint mouthwash, and an antimicrobial toothbrush (n = 20); and 5, continued use of their usual oral care products and routine (control group; n = 12). The study duration was 28 days. All patients tolerated the products well, and there were no adverse events. The recruitment capability and procedures allowed for a realistic estimation for the future main trial. The products did not cause any changes in tooth color. The participants in group 4, who completed the treatment consisting of delicate mint toothpaste, mint mouthwash, and an antimicrobial toothbrush, reported the greatest reduction in gingival sensitivity (P ≤ 0.000; Wilcoxon signed rank test). Analysis with the Wilcoxon signed rank test revealed that all products induced a statistically significant decrease in plaque (P ≤ 0.002) and a reduction in gingival sensitivity (delicate mint toothpaste, P ≤ 0.005; mint toothpaste, P ≤ 0.015; and mint mouthwash, P ≤ 0.015). All products were effective in stabilizing the oral microbiota. The tested products showed an optimal safety profile and a statistically significant efficacy in reducing gingival sensitivity and plaque. They also stabilized the biodiversity of the oral microbiota, making it less susceptible to microbial fluctuations than the control group. Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT05999175).

Comparison of the effect of licorice and chlorhexidine mouthwash on the oral health of intubated patients in the intensive care unit.

BACKGROUND: Chlorhexidine mouthwash is a common oral hygiene product used in intensive care units, but it may have some adverse effects. Licorice, a natural herb, could be a potential alternative to chlorhexidine. However, the effect of licorice mouthwash on the oral health of intubated patients has not been studied yet. Therefore, this study aimed to compare the effects of licorice and chlorhexidine mouthwash on the oral health of intubated patients. METHODS: This was a triple-blind clinical trial. The sample included 130 intubated patients admitted to an intensive care unit in Iran. The samples were selected by convenience sampling and randomly assigned to two groups: A and B. In group A, the main researcher applied 15 ml of 0.2% chlorhexidine mouthwash after each brushing (twice a day for 5.5 days) and suctioned it after 30 s. In group B, 20% licorice mouthwash was used instead of chlorhexidine. The demographic information questionnaire and the Beck Oral Assessment Scale (BOAS) were completed by one of the nurses before and on the sixth day of the study. RESULTS: Finally, 60 patients in each group completed the study. There was no significant difference between the groups in terms of demographic variables or oral health before the intervention (P > 0.05). The oral health of patients in both the chlorhexidine and liquorice mouthwash groups improved significantly after the intervention (P < 0.05). However, there was no significant difference in oral health between the two groups at postintervention (P = 0.06). CONCLUSION: The results demonstrated that both mouthwashes exerted a comparable effect on dental and oral health. However, the chlorhexidine mouthwash showed a greater impact on the reduction of dental plaque and the thinning of saliva compared to licorice mouthwash. In essential cases, licorice mouthwash can be employed as an alternative to chlorhexidine.

Rebamipide gargle and benzydamine gargle in prevention and management of chemo-radiotherapy and radiotherapy-induced oral mucositis in head and neck cancer patients (randomized clinical trial).

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to evaluate the preventive and therapeutic effects of rebamipide gargle in comparison with benzydamine in head and neck cancer patients undergoing radiotherapy with or without chemotherapy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Phase III randomized clinical trial was conducted from January 2021 till August 2022 on one hundred patients with head and neck cancer receiving high doses of radiotherapy. These patients were equally allocated into either rebamipide group or benzydamine group, The measured outcomes were the incidence of oral mucositis ≥ grade1, according to the WHO mucositis scale, in addition to the duration, and the onset of oral mucositis. RESULTS: There was no statistically significant difference between the two groups, regarding the incidence of a severe grade of oral mucositis (WHO grades 3), as well as the onset and duration of oral mucositis. Both gargles succeeded to prevent the development of WHO grade 4 oral mucositis. Side effects reported were mainly burning sensation in benzydamine group and nausea in rebamipide group. CONCLUSION: Rebamipide mouthwash was as beneficial as benzydamine mouthwash in minimizing the incidence of severe oral mucositis induced by treatment of head and neck cancer. However, rebamipide gargle proved to be superior to benzydamine in terms of reduction in the severity of the radiation-induced oral mucositis. TRIAL REGISTRATION: The trial was registered in the protocol Registration and Result system of Clinical Trials (Registration ID: NCT04685395)0.28-12-2020.

The Effect of Local Application of Tea Tree Oil Adjunctive to Daily Oral Maintenance and Nonsurgical Periodontal Treatment: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomised Controlled Studies.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the efficacy of the adjunctive use of tea tree oil (TTO) for dental plaque control and nonsurgical periodontal treatment (NSPT). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Three electronic databases were searched from 2003. The reference lists of the included articles and relevant reviews were also manually searched. Randomised controlled trials reporting the clinical outcomes of the topical use of TTO as an adjunct to daily oral hygiene or scaling and root planing (SRP) were included. Regarding the use of TTO as an adjunctive to daily oral hygiene, the primary outcome was plaque index (PI) reduction. Regarding the use of TTO as an adjunctive to SRP, probing pocket depth (PPD) reduction and clinical attachment level (CAL) gain were the primary outcomes. The secondary outcomes were adverse events. RESULTS: Eleven studies were included for qualitative analysis, 9 studies were included for quantitative analysis, and 6 studies were included to examine the application of TTO mouthwash as an adjunctive to daily oral hygiene. In addition, three studies were included to analyse the subgingival use of TTO adjunctive to SRP at selected sites. The results indicated a nonsignificant improvement in PI reduction in the TTO mouthwash group compared with placebo. The incidence of adverse events was statistically significantly greater in the CHX group than in the TTO group. For subgingival use of TTO adjunctive to SRP, beneficial effects were observed in the TTO group compared with SRP alone in terms of PPD and CAL at both three and six months post-treatment. However, an unpleasant taste was reported in three out of four studies. CONCLUSION: There is a lack of strong evidence to support the beneficial effects of TTO. Studies with larger sample sizes and standardised evaluation criteria are needed to further demonstrate the clinical relevance of TTO.

Early periodontal wound healing after chlorhexidine rinsing: a randomized clinical trial.

OBJECTIVES: This single-center randomized, parallel design, clinical trial with a 2-week follow-up involved patients affected by periodontitis undergoing periodontal surgery. The aim was to evaluate periodontal surgical wound healing with the use of chlorhexidine-based mouth rinses versus an untreated control group. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Periodontal surgery was performed following a standardized protocol. Patients were randomly prescribed i) chlorhexidine (CHX) + anti-discoloration system (ADS) + hyaluronic acid (HA), ii) CHX + ADS or iii) no treatment (control group). Plaque score, gingival inflammation, and Early Healing Index (EHI), assessing the degree of wound closure and the presence of fibrin and necrosis, were evaluated at 3, 7 and 14 days after surgery. RESULTS: In total, 33 patients were enrolled. Patients were comparable at baseline for all measured clinical parameters. At 3-days wound healing was significantly improved in all patients treated with CHX + ADS-based mouth rinses with a lower EHI score at the interdental papillae compared with control group (p < 0.01). CHX + ADS + HA group presented improved healing across all time points in terms of EHI, plaque containment, and gingival inflammation when compared to control group (p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: The usage of CHX-ADS following periodontal surgery improved early wound healing, reduced plaque accumulation and gingival inflammation. During the early post-operative period the adjunct of HA further improved soft tissue closure. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: This study aims at evaluating the response of gingival tissues to mouth rinsing with chlorhexidine and anti-discoloration system (CHX + ADS) or CHX + ADS + hyaluronic acid (CHX + ADS + HA) versus no rinse in terms of healing of the periodontal surgical wound. CHX + ADS mouth rinses enhanced early soft tissue closure after periodontal surgery and contributed to the reduction in plaque accumulation and gingival inflammation. The adjunct of HA may be beneficial especially in the early post-operative period. CHX + ADS administration following periodontal surgery may improve soft tissue healing in the first two post-operative weeks.

Recommendations on Topical Fluoride Usage for Caries Management in East Asia.

Dental caries is a widespread oral health issue in Asia, affecting an estimated 30% to 90% of children and adults. Many caries cases remain untreated, resulting in pain and infection. In response, the Asian Academy of Preventive Dentistry (AAPD) emphasises comprehensive caries management and organised a fluoride workshop at the 15th International Conference of the AAPD in 2023. The AAPD invited a group of experts to form a fluoride working group to review existing literature and develop fluoride recommendations for stakeholders across Asian countries and regions. The working group assessed caries risk and identified commonly used topical fluoride products for home care, professional, and community settings in Asia. The working group concluded that fluoride is a safe and highly effective strategy to reduce caries prevalence and incidence. The working group provided key recommendations based on successful regional caries management practices: (1) use topical fluoride for prevention and control of dental caries; (2) encourage the use of fluoride toothpaste with a concentration of at least 1,000 ppm for effective caries reduction; (3) advise a 0.05% fluoride mouth rinse as soon as children can spit it out to prevent early childhood caries; (4) deliver professionally administered fluoride, such as 5% sodium fluoride varnish, 2% fluoride gel, or 1.23% acidulated phosphate fluoride preparations, to decrease dental caries in at-risk individuals; and (5) apply 38% silver diamine fluoride to arrest cavitated caries. These recommendations aim to help practitioners, health care providers, and parents/caregivers make informed decisions about fluoride use as part of comprehensive oral health care in the region.