Comparison of Efficacy of 0.2% Chlorhexidine Gluconate and Herbal Mouthrinses on Dental Plaque: An in vitro Comparative Study

Aim: To evaluate the efficacy and antimicrobial properties of a five herbal mouth rinses with chlorhexidine gluconate mouthrinse in vitro in healthy and periodontitis patients with established dental plaque.

Materials and Methods: A total of 20 dental plaque samples were collected from periodontitis patients and healthy subjects and were streaked on blood agar plate. Well Diffusion method was used to compare 0.2% chlorhexidine gluconate, herbal mouthrinses [hiora, Punica granatum (Pomegranate), Azadirachta indica (Neem), Caryophyllus aromaticus (Cloves) and Ocimum sanctum (Tulsi)] and distilled water. The streaked blood agar plate was incubated at 37° for 24 h and examined for the zones of inhibition.

Results: The present study resulted out statistically non significant differences between chlorhexidine, hiora and pomegranate (p>0.005). Statistically significant differences were observed between chlorhexidine, tulsi, clove and neem (p<0.005).

Conclusion: Herbal mouthrinses (Hiora and Pomegranate) and chlorhexidine mouthrinse were equally effective in vitro suggesting that the herbal mouthwash may be used therapeutically in the future to inhibit oral microbial growth.