THE EFFICACY OF A HERBAL-BASED TOOTHPASTE ON THE CONTROL OF PLAQUE AND GINGIVITIS

A double-blind controlled clinical trial with parallel groups was desi gned to investigate the effectiveness of a herbal-based toothpaste in the control of plaque and gingivitis as compared with a conventional d entifrice. 70 subjects with gingivitis completed the 6-week study. All participants had at least 20 natural teeth with no probing depths gre ater than 3 mm and a plaque index of 2 or more at baseline. At baselin e, both groups were balanced for the parameters measured: plaque index , plaque vitality. gingival index, bleeding on probing and gingival cr evicular fluid flow. At the end of the trial, there were reductions wi thin both groups, however, there were no significant differences betwe en the groups. It was concluded that the herbal based toothpaste was a s effective as the conventionally formulated dentifrice in the control of plaque and gingivitis.