A study by Todkar et al compared the efficacy of alcohol-free chlorhexidine mouthrinse to chlorhexidine containing alcohol and a placebo of water in terms of controlling plaque and reduction of gingival inflammation in patients with gingivitis. It was a single-blind, parallel-group study involving 30 patients with gingivitis. Plaque Index (Silness and Löe) and Gingival Index (Löe and Silness) were recorded prior to treatment with 0.2% chlorhexidine mouthrinse with alcohol (group I, n = 10; CHX-A), 0.2% chlorhexidine mouthrinse without alcohol (group II, n = 10; CHX-NA) or a placebo (water) (group II, n = 10; P). The plaque and gingival indices were recorded again at 14 and 28 days following the start of treatment. The study found that there were significant differences in plaque and gingival indices with both chlorhexidine rinses compared to the placebo. The gingival index showed a greater clinical change in group II (CHX-NA) than in group I (CHX-A). The study concluded that the alcohol-free rinse was as effective as the one containing alcohol in controlling plaque and reducing gingival inflammation. Therefore, its use can be recommended in all periodontal patients, especially in those for whom the use of alcohol may lead to side effects.
(Source: Oral Health & Preventive Dentistry, Fall 2012, Volume 10, Issue 3, pages 291 to 296)
