Comparison of Dill Seed Oil Mouth Rinse and Chlorhexidine Mouth Rinse on Plaque Levels and Gingivitis - A Double Blind Randomized Clinical Trial

INTRODUCTION

The oral cavity provides a unique ecosystem in the human body. Its moist environment, temperature, and the existence of endogenous and exogenous metabolic substrates make it an ideal medium for bacterial growth. It is widely accepted in dentistry that plaque containing a combination of pathogenic micro-organisms is a principal etiological factor associated with periodontal disease [1].

The incorporation of broad spectrum antimicrobial mouthrinses as adjuncts to patients daily oral hygiene regimens has assumed greater importance with the recognition that most individuals are unable to consistently maintain adequate levels of plaque control using mechanical methods alone [2].

The finding that a 0.2% chlorhexidine mouthrinse can effectively prevent plaque and gingivitis in the absence of other oral hygiene procedures using an experimental gingivitis study model established the potential for antimicrobial mouthrinses in clinical practice [3]. However, because of certain side effects associated with this agent, in particular tooth staining, calculus formation, and taste aberrations, it was deemed desirable to be used as medicated rinses [4].

Dill (Anethum graveolens), also known as Shapt or dill-weed, belongs to family Umbelliferae, same family as parsley, cumin and bay leaf. It has been used as a medicine and a spice since ancient times by both the Greeks and the Romans. The main constituents of dill oil which is pale yellow in color, darkens on keeping, with the odor of the fruit and a hot, acrid taste is a mixture of a paraffin hydrocarbon and 40 to 60% of d-carvone (23.1%) with d-limonene (45%). It also consists of α-phellandrene, eugenol, anethole, flavonoids, coumarins, triterpenes, phenolic acids and umbelliferone [5].

Dill is said to be a good source of calcium, manganese and iron. It contains flavonoids known for their antioxidant, anti inflammatory and antiviral properties. The health benefits of dill include good digestion, relief from insomnia, hiccups, diarrhea, dysentery, menstrual disorders, respiratory disorders, cancer, to name a few. But what is unaware to the public is that dill is beneficial for oral care as it helps with bone and oral health. It also acts as an anti microbial agent.

Development of bacterial resistance to synthetic antimicrobial agents and the side effects associated with their use favour essential oils for alternative or complementary use. In India, antimicrobial resistance has been reported in for the most predominant pathogenic microorganisms including Staphylococcus aureus, Enterococcus faecalis, Mycobacterium tuberculosis and Pseudomonas. aeruginosa. Since dill seed oil has proven anti microbial properties with no tendency for microbial resistance, its ease of availability and relative cost it can be used as a alternate mouth rinse. However, not much research work has been done comparing the effect of dill seed oil mouthrinses and chlorhexidine towards dental plaque and gingivitis in controlled clinical trials [5].

So, this study attempts to assess the anti-plaque and anti-gingival effectiveness of commercially available 0.2% chlorhexidine gluconate mouthrinse and dill seed oil mouthrinse.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The present study was a randomized double blind parallel arm clinical study with an aim to compare the effectiveness of commercially available 0.2% chlorhexidine gluconate mouth rinse and dill seed oil mouth rinse on plaque levels and gingivitis of study subjects. The study was conducted among patients who gave consent and met the selection criteria over a period of 3 months in Department of public health dentistry, KLE Society’s Institute of Dental Sciences, Bangalore. Ethical clearance for the study was taken from the Ethical clearance committee.

MANUFACTURING OF DILL SEED OIL BASED MOUTHRINSE

Glycerin, Propylene glycol and Tween 80 (Excipients) in required quantity are mixed in a clean vessel. Add Dill Seed Oil slowly and stir continuously till it mixes well. Then sufficient quantity of demineralised (DM) water is added to adjust the volume and stir well. Finally the colour is added and mix thoroughly for a homogeneous liquid. This liquid is used as mouth rinse.

STATISTICAL ANALYSIS

• The data collected were entered into excel spread sheet. The univariate and bivariate tables were generated using the statistical software SPSS (Version 13.0).
• The descriptive statistics for gingival and plaque index scores were computed.
• The comparision of dill seed oil and chlorhexidine groups were made using paired t-test.

RESULTS

The total mean scores of the gingivitis were compared at 45 days and 90 days. In both the groups there was a significant reduction of gingival scores from baseline to 45 days and from 45 days to 90 days.

In dill seed oil group the total mean baseline score was 1.75, at 45 days it reduced to 1.14 and at 90 days it was 0.75. In chlorhexidine group the total mean baseline score was 1.77, at 45 days it was 1.18 and at 90 days it was reduced to 0.70. This shows that the dill seed oil and chlorhexidine mouthrinse had demonstrable effect on gingivitis at 45 and 90 days (Fig. 2).

The total mean scores of the plaque index were compared at 45 days and 90 days. In both the groups there was a reduction of plaque scores from baseline to 45 days and from 45 days to 90 days. Dill seed oil group the total mean baseline score was 2.69, at 45 days it reduced to 1.91 and at 90 days it reduced to 1.32. In chlorhexidine group the total mean baseline score was 2.88, at 45 days it reduced to 1.87 and at 90 days it was reduced to 1.11. This shows that the dill seed oil and chlorhexidine mouthrinse had demonstrable effect on plaque at 45 and 90 days (Fig. 3).

When dill seed oil was compared with chlorhexidine group, there was no statistically significant difference in gingival index scores at both 45 days (p=0.69) and 90 days (p=0.76). It shows that there is no significant difference in gingival scores from baseline to 45 and 90 days between essential oil and chlorhexidine group (Table 1).

When dill seed oil was compared with chlorhexidine group, there was no statistically significant difference in plaque index scores at both 45 days (p=0.62) and 90 days (p=0.79). It shows that there is no significant difference in gingival scores from baseline to 45 and 90 days between essential oil and chlorhexidine group (Table 2).

It was observed that there is statistical difference in gingival and plaque scores when compared with baseline to 45 days (p<0.001), baseline to 90 days (p<0.001) and 45 days to 90 days (p<0.001) in both dill seed oil group and in chlorhexidine group (Tables 3, 4).

DISCUSSION

Plaque is the primary etiologic agent in the development of dental caries, gingivitis and periodontal diseases. Mechanical removal of plaque through frequent and efficacious brushing and flossing is the principal means of preventing periodontal diseases and diminishing the risk of oral diseases. Apart from the physically challenged and medically compromised individuals, even normal individuals might not be able to perform optimal mechanical cleansing. Additional means of plaque control in the form of mouthrinses thereby becomes an important adjunct in maintaining optimal oral hygiene [6].

Mouthrinses have been used for centuries for medicinal and cosmetic purposes, but it is only in recent years that the rationale behind the use of ingredients has been subjected to scientific research and clinical trials. The advent of mouth rinses containing chlorhexidine has been a major breakthrough in the research as a chemical means to prevent oral diseases. Since its conception, chlorhexidine has proven its effectiveness beyond dispute, and its different formulations are used routinely in both general dental practice and teaching institutions. Chlorhexidine gluconate had generated considerable interest in the dental community since its introduction as a 0.2% mouthrinse in an experimental gingivitis study [7].

Essential oils of various medicinal plants have been used as mouth rinses in reducing plaque, gingivitis and also as antibacterial agents. They received a positive endorsement from W.D. Miller as a "very useful and active antiseptic" against oral bacteria. Despite a plethora of germicidal claims for most of the twentieth century, the dental profession has not taken mouth rinses seriously [8].

Although numerous antiplaque, antigingivitis studies have been conducted with first generation agents, the largest body of work has been presented with essential oil mouthrinses. As a result of this, a large number of studies conducted in 1970’s and 80’s, the Council of Dental Therapeutics accepted essential oils as effective mouthrinse. Essential oil mouth rinses also enervated interest due to the lack of side effects associated with its prolonged use [7]. In the long term studies the plaque reduction varied from 14% to 34% and the reduction in gingivitis was 22% to 34% as compared to placebo. There were no mucosal aberrations or development of extrinsic stain reported in these studies. Some patients noted an initial burning sensation but accustomization usually occurred in a few days [9].

In general, the level of reduction in plaque and gingivitis seen with chlorhexidine is greater than that noted for the essential oil mouthrinses. This difference has been attributed to its substantivity [10]. This must be balanced against the disquieting characteristic of chlorhexidine to form a yellowish brown stain on teeth, tongue, plastic and composite restorations, and on artificial teeth. To counteract the side effects of chlorhexidine many other mouthrinses are launched in the market commercially. But their efficacy with comparison to chlorhexidine is not yet established [11].

Effect of Dill Seed Oil on Gingivitis and Plaque Scores

The gingival index was used to assess the levels of gingivitis in the study subjects at baseline, 45 days and 90 days and comparisons were made. In both the groups there was a significant reduction of gingival scores from baseline to 45 days and from 45 days to 90 days. When mean scores of dill seed oil was compared with chlorhexidine group, there was no statistically significant difference in gingival index scores at both 45 days (p=0.69) and 90 days (p=0.76). It shows that there is no significant difference in gingival scores from baseline to 45 and 90 days between dill seed oil and chlorhexidine group (Table 1).

When mean scores of dill seed oil was compared with chlorhexidine group, there was no statistically significant difference in plaque index scores at both 45 days (p=0.62) and 90 days (p=0.79). It shows that there is no significant difference in gingival scores from baseline to 45 and 90 days between essential oil and chlorhexidine group (Table 2).

It was observed that there is statistical difference in gingival and plaque scores when compared with baseline to 45 days (p<0.001), baseline to 90 days (p<0.001) and 45 days to 90 days (p<0.001) when intragroup comparisons were done (Tables 3, 4).

The antiplaque activity of chlorhexidine may be attributed to three mechanisms for inhibition of plaque, i.e ; the effective blocking of acidic groups of salivary glycoproteins will reduce their adsorption to hydroxyapatite and formation of acquired pellicle; the ability of bacteria to bind to tooth surfaces may be reduced by adsorption of chlorhexidine to the extracellular polysaccharides of their capsules or gylcocalyces and the chlorhexidine may compete with calcium ions for acidic agglutination factors in plaque [10].

Chlorhexidine differs from the rest of antiplaque agents in its persistent, long lasting bacterostatic action, also termed as ‘Substantivity’. The action lasts for as long as 12 hours in the oral cavity after a single rinse. The dicationic chlorhexidine molecule, attaches to the pellicle by one cation, and to the bacteria attempting to colonize the tooth surface with the other. This is called the ‘Pin-Cushion Effect’. This prolongs the action of Chlorhexidine [10].

The present results indicate that the use of dill seed oil and 0.2% chlorhexidine gluconate mouthrinse has an advantage over the mechanical plaque removal methods alone. The majority of the population may not perform mechanical plaque removal sufficiently. Thus, antimicrobial mouthrinses that augment daily home care may provide an effective means of removing or controlling bacterial plaque to limit gingivitis and periodontitis [12, 13]. In fact, it has been shown that chemotherapeutic mouthrinses are effective measures for patients with gingivitis, providing a clinically significant and meaningful benefit in the reduction of plaque and gingivitis. Mouthrinses have the ability to deliver therapeutic ingredients and to benefit all accessible surfaces in the mouth including interproximal hard and soft tissues and, depending on their composition, remain active for extended periods. It was concluded that dill seed oil and Hexodent (0.2% chlorhexidine gluconate) mouthrinse have similar antiplaque and antigingival effectiveness.

CONCLUSION

It can be concluded that Dill seed oil mouthrinse and 0.2% chlorhexidine gluconate mouthrinse (Hexodent) have similar antiplaque and antigingival effectiveness. For short-term antiplaque effects, 0.2% chlorhexidine gluconate remains the “chemical toothbrush” of choice. Dill seed oil mouthrinse can be used as an alternative for short term maintenance therapy and has an advantage of having fewer side effects. As enough brands of dill seed oil mouthrinses are not available in the market, pharmaceutical companies should come up with better formulation, taste and compatibility to use, hence further research is needed in this direction.

The limitation of the present study is that it's a first of a kind wherein dill seed oil extract has been used as a mouth rinse to prove antigingival and antiplaque effects. Hence not many comparisons could be drawn. It is recommended that the dill seed oil mouthrinse has to be tested on large population and at community levels. Further the antibacterial properties of dill seed oil against oral bacteria has to be explored.

REFERENCES