Antiplaque and antigingivitis efficacy of an alcohol-free essential-oil containing mouthrinse: a 2-week clinical trial.

PURPOSE: This randomized, examiner blind, parallel group, controlled clinical study evaluated the antiplaque and antigingivitis potential of an alcohol-free essential oils containing mouthrinse (Listerine Zero) compared to a 5% hydroalcohol mouthrinse (negative control), using a 2-week experimental gingivitis model.

METHODS: 92 subjects, male and female, ranging in age from 18-68 years, in good general health, were assigned to one of the two treatment groups: Alcohol-free essential oils containing mouthrinse (LZ) or 5% hydroalcohol negative control (C) rinse. The mean Turesky Modification of the Quigley-Hein Plaque Index (PI) and the mean Modified Gingival Index (MGI) at 2 weeks were the primary efficacy endpoints. Following baseline examinations, subjects received a complete dental prophylaxis and began supervised rinsing with their assigned mouthrinse twice daily for 2 weeks, as their sole oral hygiene measure.

RESULTS: 90 subjects completed the trial. At 2 weeks, LZ was more effective (P<0.001) than C in reducing plaque (23.9%) and gingivitis (10.4%).