Antiplaque and anti-inflammatory effects of Salvia officinalis herbal mouthwash in comparison with chlorhexidine: A clinical trial

Background: This study aimed to compare the antiplaque and anti-inflammatory effects of Salvia officinalis (S.officinalis) herbal mouthwash and chlorhexidine (CHX).Materials and Methods: This double-blind clinical trial was conducted on ۶۳ patients without advanced periodontitisand with at least ۲۰ caries-free teeth without extensive restorations. Patients were assigned randomly to ۳ groups (n=۲۱)of ۰.۲% CHX, S. officinalis mouthwash, and saline. The baseline plaque index (PI) was set to zero by scaling andprophylaxis. After recording the Gingival index (GI), patients learned to use the mouthwash (۱۰ cc) for ۶۰ secondstwice daily for ۱۵ days without using toothbrushing or other plaque control methods. PI and GI were then measuredagain. Data was analyzed using ANOVA, independent t-test, and paired t-test statistical methods at a significance levelof P<۰.۰۵.Results: Groups showed no significant difference in GI (P>۰.۰۵) at baseline. At day ۱۵, the PI of the CHX groupwas significantly lower than the S. officinalis group (P<۰.۰۰۱). The PI of the CHX and S. officinalis groups was alsolower than that of the saline group (P<۰.۰۵). GI was not significantly different between CHX and S. officinalis groups(P>۰.۰۵). The GI of the CHX group was lower than that of the control group (P<۰.۰۵) Further significant differenceswere not noted (P>۰.۰۵).Conclusion: Although inferior to CHX, S. officinalis mouthwash effectively decreased the PI and GI of patients.