From the Guidelines
The recommended treatment for gingivitis involves daily brushing twice a day with fluoride toothpaste, flossing once daily, and using an antimicrobial mouthwash such as chlorhexidine (0.12%) or alternative natural options like turmeric mouthwash (0.1%) or green tea mouthwash, which have shown comparable effects to chlorhexidine in reducing plaque and gingivitis levels 1.
Key Components of Gingivitis Treatment
- Daily brushing with fluoride toothpaste
- Flossing once daily
- Using an antimicrobial mouthwash
- Professional dental cleaning (scaling and root planing) to remove plaque and tartar buildup
- Lifestyle modifications, including quitting smoking, managing diabetes, and reducing stress
Alternative Natural Options
- Turmeric mouthwash (0.1%) has been shown to be effective in reducing plaque and gingivitis levels, with comparable effects to chlorhexidine mouthwash 1
- Green tea mouthwash has also been found to be effective in reducing plaque and gingivitis levels, with some studies showing comparable effects to chlorhexidine mouthwash 1
- Arimedadi oil mouthwash has also been shown to be effective in reducing plaque and gingivitis levels, with comparable effects to chlorhexidine mouthwash 1
Importance of Professional Dental Evaluation
Regular dental check-ups every six months are important for monitoring gum health and preventing recurrence. If gingivitis symptoms persist despite proper home care for more than two weeks, professional dental evaluation is necessary to prevent progression to more serious periodontal disease.
Treatment Outcomes
Most cases of gingivitis can be reversed within 10-14 days of consistent treatment, with significant reductions in plaque and gingivitis levels 1.
From the FDA Drug Label
Paroex ® (Chlorhexidine Gluconate Oral Rinse USP, 0.12%) is indicated for use between dental visits as part of a professional program for the treatment of gingivitis as characterized by redness and swelling of the gingivae, including gingival bleeding upon probing. The recommended treatment for gingivitis is the use of Chlorhexidine Gluconate Oral Rinse USP, 0.12% as part of a professional program, which includes:
- Use between dental visits
- As part of a professional program Key points to consider:
- Gingivitis treatment is the primary indication
- Redness and swelling of the gingivae and gingival bleeding upon probing are characteristics of the condition being treated 2
From the Research
Gingivitis Treatment Overview
The recommended treatment for gingivitis involves a combination of mechanical plaque removal, oral hygiene practices, and potentially, adjunctive chemical plaque control agents.
Mechanical Plaque Removal
- Professionally administered plaque control significantly improves gingival inflammation and lowers plaque scores 3.
- Re-chargeable power toothbrushes provide small but statistically significant additional reductions in gingival inflammation and plaque levels 3.
- Inter-dental brushes (IDBs) are the device of choice for interproximal plaque removal, except for sites of gingival and periodontal health where flossing may be used 3.
Oral Hygiene Practices
- Brushing teeth twice a day for at least 2 minutes with fluoridated dentifrice is recommended for all individuals 3.
- For patients with gingivitis, once daily inter-dental cleaning is recommended 3.
Adjunctive Chemical Plaque Control Agents
- The use of local or systemic anti-inflammatory agents in the management of gingivitis has no robust evidence base 3.
- Sanguinarine-containing toothpaste and oral rinse significantly inhibited the redevelopment of gingivitis compared to control toothpaste and rinse 4.
- Chlorhexidine rinse as an adjunct to scaling and root planing showed significant improvements in gingival healing, reduction in plaque, and fewer bleeding sites 5.
Scaling and Root Planing
- Scaling and root planing (SRP) remains the "gold standard" for the non-surgical management of chronic periodontitis 6.
- SRP can be effective in reducing clinical parameters of adult periodontitis patients, and subgingival application of chlorhexidine gel or tetracycline paste may provide adjunctive improvement 7.