Acceptance Program Guidelines. Products and methods for the diagnosis and/or management of periodontitis. Council on Scientific Affairs. American Dental Association

Clinical Evidence of the Efficacy of a Mouthwash Containing Propolis for the Control of Plaque and Gingivitis: A Phase II Study

The aim of this study was to evidence the clinical efficacy of an alcohol-free mouthwash containing 5.0% (W/V) Brazilian green propolis (MGP 5%) for the control of plaque and gingivitis. Twenty five subjects, men and women aging between 18 and 60 years old (35 ± 9), were included in a clinical trials phase II study who had a minimum of 20 sound natural teeth, a mean plaque index of at least 1.5 (PI), and a mean gingival index of at least 1.0 (GI). They were instructed to rinse with 10 mL of mouthwash test for 1 minute, immediately after brushing in the morning and at night. After 45 and 90 days using mouthwash, the results showed a significant reduction in plaque and in gingival index when compared to samples obtained in baseline. These reductions were at 24% and 40%, respectively (P < .5). There were no important side effects in soft and hard tissues of the mouth. In this study, the MGP 5% showed evidence of its efficacy in reducing PI and GI. However, it is necessary to perform a clinical trial, double-blind, randomized to validate such effectiveness.

Relationship of sulcular sulfide level to severity of periodontal disease and BANA test

BACKGROUND

Volatile sulfur compounds (VSC), such as hydrogen sulfide and methyl mercaptan, are toxic metabolites produced by periodontal pathogens. Their relationship to periodontal disease severity is not yet fully understood. Hence, the aims of this study were to: 1) examine the relationship between sulcular sulfide (pS) levels and severity of periodontal disease and 2) examine the link between pS level and the BANA (benzoyl-DL-arginine-naphthylamide) test.

METHODS

Seventy systemically healthy subjects with a mean age of 53.0 +/- 13.8 years participated. Three sites were selected from each subject based upon radiographic bone loss (RBL): RBL < 2 mm, healthy; RBL > or = 2 to < 4, low to moderate; RBL > or = 4 mm, severe. Periodontal parameters, probing depth (PD), clinical attachment level (CAL), and bleeding on probing (BOP), were recorded. The pS level was measured using a portable sulfide monitor in a digital score ranging from 0.0 (< 10(-7) M of S) to 5.0 (> or = 10(-2) M of S) in increments of 0.5. The presence of specific bacteria in subgingival plaque was detected using BANA test.

RESULTS

The mean pS level was 0.10 +/- 0.23, 0.36 +/- 0.48, and 1.10 +/- 0.87 for healthy, low to moderate, and severe disease sites, respectively, and was statistically different (P<0.001). The pS level was positively correlated with the BANA test, and was higher in untreated subjects than maintenance subjects (P<0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

The pS level may be a potential indicator for detecting severity of periodontal disease and identifying bacteria that are capable of hydrolyzing BANA.