Abstract
Introduction: Microbial plaque is the primary cause of dental caries, gingivitis, and periodontal disease, necessitating effective strategies for its reduction. Mechanical removal methods may be challenging for some individuals, highlighting the need for alternative approaches. Curcumin, a natural compound with antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties, shows promise for oral health. This study evaluates the anti-inflammatory and antibacterial effects of a 20% curcumin mouthwash compared to a 0.2% chlorhexidine mouthwash on dental plaque and gingivitis.
Materials and methods: In this randomized clinical trial, 39 patients aged 20 and older with gingivitis participated, randomly assigned to three groups of 13. All participants initially received scaling treatment. Group 1 utilized chlorhexidine mouthwash (SRP/CHX Gr-1), while Group 2 used curcumin mouthwash (SRP/CUR Gr-2). Group 3 received only scaling (SRP Gr-3) with the placebo mouthwash (distilled water). Gingival bleeding and plaque indices were recorded on Day 0 (before treatment) and Day 14, and the differences among the groups were statistically analyzed using repeated measure ANOVA and paired t-tests.
Results: Clinical parameters improved in all three groups compared to baseline. Both the curcumin and chlorhexidine groups exhibited statistically significant improvements in the gingival bleeding index compared to the control group (Gr-3) (P < 0.05), while no significant difference was observed in the dental plaque index (P > 0.05). Additionally, there were no statistically significant differences in the modified sulcular bleeding index and plaque index (Turesky) between the curcumin and chlorhexidine groups (P > 0.05).
Conclusion: The results of this study indicate that curcumin is comparable to chlorhexidine as an anti-inflammatory mouthwash and can serve as an effective adjunct in periodontal treatments.
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