Effect of Mucoadhesive Tablet Containing Herbal formulation on Gingivitis.

Objectives: Previous research has shown the antibacterial activity of the herbal active ingredients. The aim of the present study was to test the effect of these herbal ingredients delivered using a mucoadhesive tablet on gingivitis as compared with placebo mucoadhesive tablets and a 0.2% chlorhexidine mouthwash.
Methods: Thirty healthy subjects (mean age, 30.85±8.74 y, 20 females), presenting with signs of gingivitis were randomly assigned to use one of the three tested products: (i) herbal mucoadhesive tablets, (ii) placebo muoadhesive tablets and (iii) 0.2% chlorhexidine mouthwash. Following baseline measurements subjects were instructed to use the products twice a day for one week. Baseline, first follow up (following one week of treatment) and second follow up (additional week without treatment) measurements included bleeding on probing scores and a gingivitis score of clinical photos on a 0-2 scale by three dental examiners.
Results: Results showed that the mucoadhesive tablet containing the herbal formulation caused a significant reduction in bleeding and gingivitis scores (p<0.001), in the first and second follow-up as compared to the placebo that showed no significant reduction and the chlorhexidine that showed reduction only in the first follow up.
Conclusions: These results suggest that the herbal formulation delivered using a mucoadhesive tablet is effective in preventing gingivitis.