The plaque and gingivitis inhibiting capacity of a commercially available mouthwash containing essential oils and ethyl lauroyl arginate. A randomized clinical trial

Objective: A commercially available mouth rinse with ethyl lauroyl arginate and essential oils claims to have better antimicrobial properties than the traditional essential oil products. The aim of this study was to compare the plaque and gingivitis inhibiting effect of the commercial product containing essential oils with ethyl lauroyl arginate with one placebo and one negative control in a modified experimental gingivitis model. Materials and methods: In three groups of healthy volunteers, experimental gingivitis was induced and monitored over 21 d, simultaneously treated with the commercial test solution, 21.6% hydro-alcohol solution and sterile water, respectively. The maxillary right quadrant of each individual received mouthwash only, whereas the maxillary left quadrant was subject to both rinsing and mechanical oral hygiene. Compliance and side effects were monitored at d 7, 14, and 21. Plaque and gingivitis scores were obtained at baseline and d 21. Results and conclusion: Although the commercial product containing essential oils with ethyl lauroyl arginate performed statistically significantly better regarding average plaque scores on all surfaces combined than the placebo (p =.018) and negative control (p =.003) when no mechanical tooth cleaning was performed, the product still left the patient with enough plaque to cause gingivitis and thus seemed of questionable clinical benefit to the patient.