Background: This study aimed to compare the antiplaque and anti-inflammatory effects of Salvia officinalis (S. officinalis) herbal mouthwash and chlorhexidine (CHX).
Materials and Methods: This double-blind clinical trial was conducted on 63 patients without advanced periodontitis and with at least 20 caries-free teeth without extensive restorations. Patients were assigned randomly to 3 groups (n=21) of 0.2% CHX, S. officinalis mouthwash, and saline. The baseline plaque index (PI) was set to zero by scaling and prophylaxis. After recording the Gingival index (GI), patients learned to use the mouthwash (10 cc) for 60 seconds twice daily for 15 days without using toothbrushing or other plaque control methods. PI and GI were then measured again. Data was analyzed using ANOVA, independent t-test, and paired t-test statistical methods at a significance level of P<0.05.
Results: Groups showed no significant difference in GI (P>0.05) at baseline. At day 15, the PI of the CHX group was significantly lower than the S. officinalis group (P<0.001). The PI of the CHX and S. officinalis groups was also lower than that of the saline group (P<0.05). GI was not significantly different between CHX and S. officinalis groups (P>0.05). The GI of the CHX group was lower than that of the control group (P<0.05) Further significant differences were not noted (P>0.05).Conclusion: Although inferior to CHX, S. officinalis mouthwash effectively decreased the PI and GI of patients.