Early benefits with daily rinsing on gingival health improvements with an essential oil mouthrinse--post-hoc analysis of 5 clinical trials.

PURPOSE: The aim of this investigation through post-hoc analyses was to determine the ability to achieve gingival health in the short term with daily rinsing with an essential oil containing antimicrobial mouthrinse.

METHODS

Conventional Analysis of Covariance (ANCOVA) on whole mouth mean plaque and gingivitis scores were originally conducted to demonstrate efficacy of adjunctive use of Cool Mint® LISTERINE® Antiseptic (EO) compared to negative control [brushing (B) or brushing/flossing (BF)] in each of 5 studies containing a 4 week evaluation. The Modified Gingival Index (MGI) was split into 2 categories: healthy (scores 0, 1) and unhealthy (≥2). Data, reflecting subjects that completed 4 weeks of treatment from 5 studies, were evaluated to determine the mean percent of healthy sites and mean percent of more inflamed "affected" areas (MGI≥3).

RESULTS

At baseline, the mean percent healthy gingival sites ranged from 0.1 to 3.2%. At 4 weeks, up to 29.3% and 16.1% of sites were healthy for the EO group and negative control group, respectively. Three and 6 month data from 2 of the 5 studies resulted in up to 39.6% and 62% at 3 and 6 month mean percent healthy sites per subject for EO and up to 17.2% and 15.6% at 3 and 6 months, respectively, for negative control. Virtually plaque free sites (PI=0, 1) at 4 weeks ranged up to 34.3% and 8.1% for EO and control groups, respectively.

CONCLUSION

Significantly more healthy gingival sites and virtually plaque free tooth surfaces can be achieved as early as 4 weeks with use of an essential oil antimicrobial mouthrinse. This finding continues through 6 months twice daily use as part of oral care practices compared to mechanical oral hygiene alone.