“EFFICACY OF HERBAL AND NON-HERBAL TOOTHPASTE IN THE REDUCTION OF PLAQUE, GINGIVITIS AND SALIVARY NEUTROPHIL COUNT”- A RANDOMIZED CLINICAL STUDY

Dr. Pradeep Kumar Singh*, Dr. K. V. V. Prasad and Dr. Apoorva Kotian

ABSTRACT

Introduction: Periodontal disease is a continuum of oral diseases of polymicrobial origin, characterized by a bacterial plaque induced gingival inflammation which if left untreated, may lead to chronic infection and loss of attachment. Before the clinical signs of disease become evident, neutrophils start appearing, acting as a first line of defense against the invading microbes. Therefore, plaque control using toothbrush and toothpaste play a key role in the prevention of these diseases. But some of the substances of conventional toothpastes show undesirable side effects such as tooth staining and altered taste sensation. This had led to paying increased attention on using natural ingredients in herbal dentifrices. Aim: To compare the efficacy of herbal toothpaste (Dantkanti) and non-herbal toothpaste (Colgate Total) in the reduction of plaque, gingivitis and salivary neutrophil count. Method: 40 dentate subjects who fulfil the inclusion and exclusion criteria were enrolled. At the baseline visit they were randomly assigned to herbal toothpaste group (Dantkanti group) and non-herbal toothpaste group (Colgate Total group) according to their baseline gingival scores followed by estimation of plaque score, salivary neutrophil count. All subjects were instructed to use their respective products and recalled after 4 weeks for re-evaluation. Results: Both at baseline and after 30 days, there was no significant difference (p˃0.05) between both the groups in reduction of plaque, gingivitis and salivary neutrophil count Conclusion: Herbal toothpaste was as effective as non herbal toothpaste in reduction of plaque, gingivitis and salivary neutrophil count.

Keywords: Herbal toothpaste, Non herbal toothpaste, Gingivitis, Plaque, Neutrophil count.