ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Eucalyptus extracts were found to possess an antibacterial activity against some oral pathogens that produce oral malodor compounds in vitro; however, the clinical effects with respect to oral malodor in humans remain unproven. In the present investigation, a randomized clinical study was designed to test the hypothesis that eucalyptus-extract chewing gum can reduce oral malodor in the general adult population. METHODS: Subjects were randomly assigned to the following three groups: a high-concentration (0.6% eucalyptus extract) group (n = 32), a low-concentration (0.4% eucalyptus extract) group (n = 32), and a placebo group (n = 33). The intake period was 12 weeks. The organoleptic score, level of volatile sulfur compounds (VSCs), and tongue-coating score were recorded at baseline and 4, 8, 12, and 14 weeks. Treatment-to-time interactions among groups were evaluated by repeated-measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) followed by the Games-Howell pairwise comparison test. RESULTS: Relative to baseline readings, significant reductions in clinical parameters, including organoleptic and tongue-coating scores in the high- and/or low-concentration groups, occurred at 4, 8, 12, and 14 weeks (P <0.05). In addition, group-time interactions revealed significant reductions in the organoleptic score, VSCs, and tongue-coating score in both concentration groups compared to the placebo group (P <0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Eucalyptus-extract chewing gum had long-term effects on the olganoleptic score, levels of VSCs, and tongue-coating score. These findings suggest that eucalyptus-extract chewing gum may reduce oral malodor by decreasing the accumulation of tongue coating.
Subject(s)
Chewing Gum , Eucalyptus , Halitosis/prevention & control , Plant Extracts/therapeutic use , Adult , Chromatography, Gas , Double-Blind Method , Female , Follow-Up Studies , Halitosis/metabolism , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Placebos , Plant Extracts/administration & dosage , Sulfur Compounds/analysis , Tongue/pathology , Volatile Organic Compounds/analysis , Young AdultABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Studies in vitro showed that eucalyptus extracts possess antibacterial activity against cariogenic and periodontopathic bacteria; however, the clinical effects with respect to periodontal health in humans remain unproven. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of chewing gum containing eucalyptus extract on periodontal health in a double-masked, randomized, controlled trial. METHODS: Healthy humans with gingivitis but not deep periodontal pockets were randomly assigned to the following groups: high-concentration group (n=32): use of 0.6% eucalyptus extract chewing gum for 12 weeks (90 mg/day); low-concentration group (n=32): use of 0.4% eucalyptus extract chewing gum for 12 weeks (60 mg/day); and placebo group (n=33): use of chewing gum without eucalyptus extract for 12 weeks. Plaque accumulation (PLA), gingival index (GI), bleeding on probing (BOP), periodontal probing depth (PD), and clinical attachment level (CAL) were measured at weeks 0, 4, 8, 12, and 14. Significance was analyzed with repeated-measures two-way analysis of variance followed by the Games-Howell pairwise comparison test. RESULTS: The interaction between the effects of eucalyptus extract chewing gum and the intake period was statistically significant for PLA, GI, BOP, and PD but not for CAL. The low- and high-concentration groups exhibited statistically significant (P <0.05) improvements compared to the placebo group for PLA, GI, BOP, and PD. CONCLUSIONS: Eucalyptus extract chewing gum had a significant effect on PLA, GI, BOP, and PD. The use of eucalyptus extract chewing gum may promote periodontal health.
