Effect of Herbal and Chemical Mouth-rinses on Periodontal Indices; Comparison of Matrica, Persica and Chlorhexidine

Due to the limitations of mechanical plaque control methods, the use of chemical methods have been recommended, and Chlorhexidine has been shown to be the gold standard mouth-rinse. The aim of this study was to compare the effect of two herbal mouth-rinses with each other, and with Chlorhexidine on some periodontal indices. In this double-blinded interventional study, 30 male dental students were divided into three equal groups. Before and after using of the two herbal and one chemical mouth-rinses (Matrica, Persica, and Chlorhexidine) periodontal indices including plaque, gingival, and tooth staining were measured and recorded. All samples consumed the three mouth-rinses in two week intervals. Data were analyzed using Wilcoxon test for evaluation of dependent variables in each group, and ANOVA for dependent variables between the three mouth-rinses.The three mouth-rinses used in this study (Matrica, Persica, and Chlorhexidine) caused reduction in plaque index by 30.58 9.22%, 19.44 8.43% and 19.62 8.7%, respectively. All the mouth-rinses decreased the plaque index but the reduction was more prominent with Chlorhexidine (p<0.05). Also, Chlorhexidine caused more gingival index reduction in comparison with Matrica and Persica (p<0.05). Herbal mouth-rinses caused small areas of staining but Chlorhexidine increased stain index value by its extension and intensity. The difference between the two herbal mouth-rinses was not statistically significant, while the difference was significant in comparison with the chemical mouth-rinse (p<0.05).As the extension and intensity of staining caused by Chlorhexidin as a chemical agent was significantly more than the herbal mouth-rinses, also its effect on plaque and gingival indices was more. So, the benefits and side effects of each mouth-rinse should be considered in their clinical application.