The effect of an essential-oils mouthrinse as compared to a vehicle solution on plaque and gingival inflammation: a systematic review and meta-analysis

• Published in: International journal of dental hygiene Vol. 12; no. 3; pp. 160 - 167
• Main Authors: Van Leeuwen, MPC, Slot, DE, Van der Weijden, GA
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Blackwell Publishing Ltd 01.08.2014
• Subjects: alcohol; bleeding; Dental care; Dental Plaque - prevention & control; Dentistry; Drug Combinations; essential oils; extrinsic tooth stain; gingivitis; Gingivitis - prevention & control; Gum disease; Humans; listerine; Meta-analysis; mouthrinse; Mouthwashes - chemistry; Mouthwashes - therapeutic use; Oils, Volatile - chemistry; Oils, Volatile - therapeutic use; Oral hygiene; Periodontal Index; Pharmaceutical Vehicles; Phenols - therapeutic use; plaque; Salicylates - therapeutic use; Systematic review; Terpenes - therapeutic use; alcohol; plaque; bleeding; gingivitis; listerine; extrinsic tooth stain; essential oils; systematic review; mouthrinse
• ISSN: 1601-5029; 1601-5037
• DOI: 10.1111/idh.12069

Objective The purpose of this review was to systematically evaluate the effects of an alcohol vehicle solution (V‐Sol) compared with an essential‐oils mouthwash (EOMW) and if available with a water‐based control (WC) on plaque, gingival inflammation parameters and extrinsic tooth staining. Materials and Methods The PubMed‐MEDLINE, Cochrane‐CENTRAL and EMBASE databases were searched. Where appropriate, a meta‐analysis was performed, and difference of means (DIFFM) as calculated. Results In total, 971 unique papers were found of which five met the eligibility criteria. The DIFFM of the meta‐analysis of four 6‐month studies showed that the EOMW provided significantly better plaque control (DIFFM = 0.39, P < 0.00001) and gingival inflammation reduction as measured by the Löe and Silness Index (DIFFM = 0.36, P = 0.00001) as compared to the V‐Sol. Regarding extrinsic tooth staining, a small but significant difference (DIFFM = −0.08, P = 0.03) was observed. Conclusion Limited data, but with a low risk of bias, were available to assess the potential benefit of the alcohol‐containing V‐Sol. ‘High’‐ and ‘moderate’‐quality data were available for the analysis of plaque and gingivitis, respectively. Within these limitations, EOMW appears to provide a significant oral health benefit during the 6 months of use. The data retrieved for this review suggest that the essential oils produce an effect on plaque and gingivitis that extends beyond the V‐Sol. Furthermore, the V‐Sol proved to be no different from a WC.