Guduchi decoction an effective mouth rinse to reduce plaque and gingivitis

Chemotherapeutic agent like Chlorhexidine which is considered as the "gold standard mouthwash" have side effects like alteration of taste; staining of teeth, nausea and vomiting, and hence trials are being conducted to develop new alternative agents.

Guduchi (Tinospora Cordifolia/T.cordifolia) has been mentioned in the literature of Ayurveda and Indian Pharmacopeia, as a constituent of several compound preparations used in medical conditions like general weakness, dyspepsia, pyrexia and urinary diseases. It is commonly known as Giloy and is a glabrous and succulent plant.

Literature supports the beneficial effects of T.cordifolia, however a need was felt to evaluate if it can be used as an herbal alternative against the dental pathogens and gingivitis. Hence, Shruti Nair and colleagues from the Department of Public Health Dentistry, Dr. D.Y. Patil Dental College and Hospital, Dr. D.Y. Patil Vidyapeeth, Pune, Maharashtra, India conducted this study to assess the clinical efficacy (against plaque and gingivitis) and antimicrobial efficacy (against gram negative, gram positive and S. mutans counts) of T. cordifolia (Guduchi).

A nonrandomized before and after trial for 21 days of intervention was performed involving 17 participants. Plaque index, gingival index were recorded and saliva samples were collected at baseline, 13th day and 22nd day.

Repeated measures ANOVA test was performed to compare the before and after results of the clinical parameters, i.e. score of plaque index and gingival index. Freidman's test was applied for comparison between the three intervals (for microbiological evaluation of colony counts).

The study showed that there was statistically significant reduction in plaque score, gingival score, and colony forming units of gram negative organisms and S. mutans from baseline to 22nd day (P = 0.001). There was no significant reduction with gram positive organisms.

Therefore, the authors concluded that "twice rinsing of T.cordifolia decoction as mouth rinse in adjunct to scaling and routine brushing of teeth for 21 days shows anti-plaque, anti-gingivitis, and antimicrobial action against gram negative organisms and S. mutans."