PT  - JOURNAL ARTICLE
AU  - Charles, Christine A
AU  - Lisante, Toni Anne
AU  - Revankar, Ratna
AU  - Cortelli, Jose Roberto
AU  - Cortelli, Sheila Cavalca
AU  - Aquino, Davi
AU  - Goyal, Chhaju R.
AU  - Amini, Pejmon
TI  - Early Benefits with Daily Rinsing on Gingival Health Improvements with an Essential Oil Mouthrinse – Post–Hoc Analysis of 5 Clinical Trials
DP  - 2014 Jan 01
TA  - American Dental Hygienists Association
PG  - 40--50
VI  - 88
IP  - suppl 1
4099  - http://jdh.adha.org/content/88/suppl_1/40.short
4100  - http://jdh.adha.org/content/88/suppl_1/40.full
SO  - J Dent Hyg2014 Jan 01; 88
AB  - Purpose: The aim of this investigation through post-hoc analyses was to determine the ability to achieve gingival health in the short term with daily rinsing with an essential oil containing antimicrobial mouthrinse. Methods: Conventional Analysis of Covariance (ANCOVA) on whole mouth mean plaque and gingivitis scores were originally conducted to demonstrate efficacy of adjunctive use of Cool Mint® LISTERINE® Antiseptic (EO) compared to negative control [brushing (B) or brushing/flossing (BF)] in each of 5 studies containing a 4 week evaluation. The Modified Gingival Index (MGI) was split into 2 categories: healthy (scores 0, 1) and unhealthy (≥2). Data, reflecting subjects that completed 4 weeks of treatment from 5 studies, were evaluated to determine the mean percent of healthy sites and mean percent of more inflamed “affected” areas (MGI≥3). Results: At baseline, the mean percent healthy gingival sites ranged from 0.1 to 3.2%. At 4 weeks, up to 29.3% and 16.1% of sites were healthy for the EO group and negative control group, respectively. Three and 6 month data from 2 of the 5 studies resulted in up to 39.6% and 62% at 3 and 6 month mean percent healthy sites per subject for EO and up to 17.2% and 15.6% at 3 and 6 months, respectively, for negative control. Virtually plaque free sites (PI =0, 1) at 4 weeks ranged up to 34.3% and 8.1% for EO and control groups, respectively. Conclusion: Significantly more healthy gingival sites and virtually plaque free tooth surfaces can be achieved as early as 4 weeks with use of an essential oil antimicrobial mouthrinse. This finding continues through 6 months twice daily use as part of oral care practices compared to mechanical oral hygiene alone.