Efficacy of supervised rinsing with chlorhexidine digluconate in comparison to phenolic and plant alkaloid compounds

Abstract

The experimental gingivitis model was used to compare the antigingivitis, antiplaque, and antimicrobial efficacies of two commercially available (a phenolic and a plant alkaloid) compounds used as mouthrinses with those of a mouthrinse containing chlorhexidine digluconate. Thirty‐one male and female volunteers with healthy gingivae and clean teeth ceased all oral hygiene procedures for 21 days during which they rinsed twice daily with: a) a phenolic compound (Listerine®), b) sanguinarine (Viadent®), c) 0.12% chlorhexidine digluconate, or d) a placebo mouthrinse. After 21 days of rinsing, virtually no signs of clinical gingivitis were observed in the chlorhexidine group. Subjects rinsing with Listerine, Viadent, or placebo developed clinical signs of gingivitis as measured by gingivitis occurrence, severity, and the proportion of gingival bleeding sites. At the same time, plaque accumulation was only slightly higher than at baseline in the chlorhexidine group, while the Listerine, Viadent, and placebo groups had significantly greater plaque accumulations, particularly during the initial period of treatment between day 0 and day 7. Microbiological enumeration of supragingival plaque collected at the end of the treatment period showed that chlorhexidine digluconate reduced plaque bacteria by 62–62% compared to the placebo group. No significant reductions in plaque bacteria were found among subjects using Listerine or Viadent.This study demonstrated that 0.12% chlorhexidine digluconate was superior to Listerine and Viadent in its ability to maintain optimal gingival health during the entire three weeks of mouthrinse use. It was of particular interest to note these effects during the final 14 to 21‐day period of extreme challenge in this experimental model when gingivitis severity and bleeding site occurrence are most pronounced in the placebo group.