Essential oil mouthwash (EOMW) may be equivalent to chlorhexidine (CHX) for long-term control of gingival inflammation but CHX appears to perform better than EOMW in plaque control.

ARTICLE TITLE AND BIBLIOGRAPHIC INFORMATION Essential oils compared to chlorhexidine with respect to plaque and parameters of gingival inflammation: a systematic review. Van Leeuwen MPC, Slot DE, Van der Weijden GA. J Periodontol 2011 Feb;82(2):174-94. Epub 2010 Nov 2. REVIEWER Anthony L. Neely, DDS, MDentSc, PhD. PURPOSE/QUESTION To determine whether essential oil mouthwash is comparable to chlorhexidine gluconate with respect to reducing plaque and gingival inflammation and promoting calculus accumulation and extrinsic staining. SOURCE OF FUNDING Some support came from the Academic Center for Dentistry Amsterdam, University of Amsterdam and VU University Amsterdam. TYPE OF STUDY DESIGN: Systematic review with meta-analysis of data. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE Level 1: Good-quality, patient-oriented evidence. STRENGTH OF RECOMMENDATION GRADE Grade B: Inconsistent or limited-quality patient-oriented evidence.