Comparative Analysis of Turmeric and Chlorhexidine Mouthwashes as Anti-plaque and Anti-gingivitis Agents: An Observational Study.

INTRODUCTION

Mouthwashes are highly efficacious chemical agents for managing plaque and gingivitis. The aim of the present study was to evaluate and compare the efficacy of turmeric (TM) and chlorhexidine (CHX) mouthwash as anti-plaque and anti-gingivitis agents.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This retrospective, observational study was conducted on the clinical case records of 60 patients with gingival and plaque scores of ≥ 1, who were treated with TM mouthwash as group 1 and CHX mouthwash as group 2 for a period of two months. Indices such as plaque index (PI) and gingival index (GI) were noted at baseline (T0) and at the end of two months of mouthwash use (T1). The data were subjected to statistical analysis.

RESULTS

Both groups were effective in reducing all indices from T0 to T1; however, group 2 was more effective than group 1 in reducing plaque scores at T1. The results were statistically significant (p<0.05), whereas there was no significant difference in the gingival scores at T1 between both groups (p>0.05). Multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) revealed no significant differences between the groups in gingival and plaque scores over time. Wilks' Lambda test revealed that the treatment groups had a statistically significant impact on the overall treatment outcomes.

CONCLUSION

Although both CHX and TM mouthwashes were equally effective as anti-plaque and anti-gingivitis agents, TM mouthwash is recommended in cases where prolonged use is required, such as in orthodontic patients.