Comparison of the Effect of Lippia Citrodora and Chlorhexidine Mouthwashes on Plaque-Induced Gingivitis in Patients of Sari Dentistry School: A Randomized Single-Blinded Clinical Trial

Background and purpose: Plaque-induced gingivitis is the most common form of gingivitis caused by the accumulation of bacterial plaques. Chlorhexidine mouthwash is one of the oldest and most effective treatments for this disease. Considering the adverse effects of chemical mouthwashes and turning to plant extracts, this study compared the anti-inflammatory effects of Lippia citrodora and chlorhexidine mouthwashes in patients with plaque-induced gingivitis. Materials and methods: In this single-blind randomized clinical trial, 72 patients with plaque-induced generalized chronic gingivitis were randomly divided into three groups of 24 patients receiving Lippia citrodora, chlorhexidine, and placebo mouthwashes. Gingival (GI), plaque (PI), and bleeding on probing (BOP) indexes were measured for the Ramfjord teeth of each patient on days 0, 7, and 21 and inputted to SPSS software (Version 22). Comparisons before and after interventions in each group were performed by paired t-test or its non-parametric equivalent for GI and PI, as well as the McNemar test for BOP. An intergroup comparison was performed by independent t-test, one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) for GI and PI, and chi-square for BOP. Moreover, a comparison of treatment results between different measurements was carried out by repeated measures ANOVA for GI and PI, as well as the Cochran test for BOP. Results: During all study periods, GI, PI, and POB significantly decreased in all three groups (P<0.001). The highest and lowest decreases of these indexes occurred in chlorhexidine and placebo groups, respectively (P<0.001). Conclusion: Lippia citriodora mouthwash is not more effective than chlorhexidine; however, considering their slight difference, it can replace chlorhexidine in the treatment of gingivitis. (Clinical Trials Registry Number: IRCT20190117042392N1)