ABSTRACT
The study was done to compare the anti gingivitis and antiplaque efficacy of Herboral with CHX and Listerine and to assess the side effects of the mouthwashes, if any. It was a single-centre, double-blind, parallel group and oral hygiene controlled clinical trial. 60 participants were equally divided into 3 groups: Herboral, CHX, and Listerine. These groups were asked to rinse with their respective mouthwash 2 times daily for 15 days. Gingivitis was evaluated by using Loe and Silness index [1963], and plaque was evaluated by using the Turesky modification of the Quiely Hein index [1970]. The evaluation was carried out at the end of 15 days, 1 month, and 3 months. Intragroup comparison for plaque and gingival scores was done using [t] test. Intergroup comparison was done using ANOVA and Tukey test. At the end of 15 days, all three mouth rinses were effective in reducing the mean scores [gingivitis/ plaque]: Herboral [0.34/1.0], Chlorhexidine [0.22/1.18] and Listerine [0.86/1.67]. At the end of 30 and 90 days the plaque and gingival scores had increased in all the three groups, more in the Listerine group. The use of CHX showed brown staining, whereas Listerine gave a burning sensation. As an antiplaque and antigingivitis agent, the Herboral mouthwash is as effective as Chlorhexidine [CHX] and more effective than Listerine