Aim: To compare the effect of cinnamon extract, chlorhexidine mouthwash and placebo on dental plaque level and gingivitis.
Materials and methods: One hundred five healthy dental and medical students aged 21 to 25 years participated in the study. The subjects were randomly divided into three groups: i.e., the cinnamon group, the chlorhexidine gluconate mouthwash group and the placebo (distilled water) group. Data were collected at baseline, the 15th and the 30th day. Plaque was disclosed using erythrosine disclosing agent and scores were recorded using the Quigley and Hein plaque index modified by Turesky-Gilmore-Glickman. Gingival scoring was done by the gingival index of Löe and Silness. Statistical analysis was carried out to compare the effect of all three treatments groups; p ≤ 0.05 was considered statistically significant.
Results: The chlorhexidine group showed the maximum decrease in both plaque and gingival scores, followed by cinnamon extract, but the result was statistically insignificant. The plaque and gingival scores remained almost unchanged in the distilled water group. Conclusion: The results of the present study indicate that cinnamon may prove to be an effective agent owing to its ability to reduce plaque level and gingivitis.