ABSTRACT
Statement of the Problem: According to previous studies, the components of green tea extracts can inhibit the growth of a wide range of gram-pos-itive and -negative bacterial species and might be useful in controlling oral infections
Purpose: The aim of this study was to determine the effect of green tea chewing gum on the rate of plaque and gingival inflammation in subjects with gingivitis
Materials and Method: In this double-blind randomize controlled clinical trial, 45 patients with generalized marginal gingivitis were selected and divided into two groups of green tea [23] and placebo [22] chewing gum. The patients chewed two gums for 15 minutes daily for three weeks. Sulcus bleeding index [SBI] and approximal plaque index [API] were studied at the baseline, 7 and 21 days later. Saliva sampling was conducted before and after 21 days for evaluation of IL-1beta. The results were analyzed and compared by using repeated measures ANOVA, paired t test, and independent two-sample t test [alpha=0.05]
Results: The results showed that chewing gum significantly affected the SBI and API [p< 0.001]. Paired t test showed that the two groups were significantly different regarding the mean changes of SBI and API at different periods of 1-7, 1-21, and 7-21 [p< 0.001]. Concerning IL-1beta, the repeated measures ANOVA revealed that the effect of chewing gum was significant [p<0.001]. Moreover, paired t-test represented no significant difference between the mean changes of IL-1beta within 1-21 day [p= 0.086]
Conclusion: The green tea chewing gum improved the SBI and API and effectively reduced the level of IL-1beta