Early benefits with daily rinsing on gingival health improvements with an essential oil mouthrinse--post-hoc analysis of 5 clinical trials.

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.