Evaluation of the safety and the efficacy of a novel polyherbal mouthwash containing Emblica officinalis,Cinnamomum cassia,Silicate of magnesia,Nigella sativa and Eucalyptus globulus oil in patients with gingivitis:A randomized controlled trial

Periodontal diseases have adestructive effect on the supporting tooth tissues. The mildest form of thesediseases is gingivitis which is characterized by bleeding, plaque

formation  andgum inflammation .Several lines of evidence haveshown that elimination of microbial dental plaque biofilm prevents gingivitis. In addition to mechanical oral

hygiene approaches, there is a need for additional measures to controlbacterial plaque formation by using antimicrobial dentifrices or anti-plaque

mouthwashes. Chlorhexidine,  a bisguanideis considered benchmark of antimicrobial rinses due to its high substantivityand wide range of activity. Chlorhexidine is  not a

‘Miraculous solution’ as it hasdefinite  after effects like taste alteration, mucosal irritation, dry mouth,tooth discoloration, cytotoxic effect.Based on the ill-effects of

chlorhexidine, World Health Organization admonishedresearchers to probe the potential of herbs and plant extracts. Hence, finding newer antiplaqueand

antimicrobial agents with a natural origin is important to increasetreatment compliance and reduce adverse effects upon long-term application. In dentistry,

Herbal concentrateswere used to lessen  inflammation, prevent dental caries, to heal gingivitis& periodontitis, and as antimicrobials & antioxidants. The

natural products used in thisstudy were Indian gooseberry (Emblica  Officinalis), cinnamon(Cinnamomum Cassia), HydratedMagnesium silicate(silicate of

magnesia), Black seed(Nigella Sativa),Eucalyptus oil(Eucalyptus Globulus) .Theefficacy of all the substances were proven individually. The combined effect of

the substances was not studied previously . Thus the aim of the study was toevaluate the clinical safety and efficacy of polyherbal mouthwash containing Indian

gooseberry, Cinnamon, Hydrated magnesium silicate, black seed And Eucalyptus oil against commerciallyavailable chlorhexidine mouthwash.