Comparisons of Efficacy of Triphala and Chlorhexidine Mouthwash Against Plaque Accumulation and Gingivitis.

Comparisons of Efficacy of Triphala and Chlorhexidine Mouthwash Against Plaque Accumulation and Gingivitis. A Randomized Controlled Trail.

Gingivitis is one of the commonly prevalent oral diseases worldwide which is caused by the bacterial biofilm adhering to the teeth surfaces. Chlorhexidine is the antimicrobial agent most familiar to dental professionals. The need for frequent application of Chlorhexidine and other side effects such as unpleasant taste and staining has stimulated the search for alternatives. "Triphala" is among the most common formulas used in Traditional Ayurvedic Medicine. Triphala has an antibacterial effect. In this context, a study was undertaken to ascertain the effects of a mouthwash prepared with Triphala on the oral health status and compare it with commercially available Chlorhexidine mouthwash.

Study Overview

• Status: Completed
• Conditions: Gingivitis
• Intervention / Treatment: Other: 6% Triphala mouthwash; Other: .2% chlorhexidine mouthwash

Detailed Description

Dental plaque is the main cause of gingivitis and effective plaque control is essential for maintaining gingival health. Along with mechanical cleaning methods, mouthwashes are commonly used as adjunct therapy to reduce plaque accumulation and gingival inflammation. Chlorhexidine is considered the gold standard chemical plaque control agent but its long-term use is limited by side effects such as tooth staining and taste alteration. Triphala, a herbal formulation with known antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties has emerged as a potential alternative. Comparing the efficacy of triphala and chlorhexidine mouthwash against plaque accumulation and gingivitis may help to identify a safer and acceptable option for maintaining routine oral hygiene.

Aims and objectives:

To compare the efficacy of triphala and chlorhexidine mouth wash against plaque accumulation and gingivitis.

Materials and methods:

A randomized controlled trial was conducted among 220 patients with chronic generalized gingivitis attending the Outpatient Department of Bangladesh medical University (BMU), Dhaka. Participants were randomly assigned using shuffled numbered cards to Group A (Triphala mouthwash, n = 110) and Group B (Chlorhexidine mouthwash, n = 110).

• Study Type: Interventional
• Enrollment (Actual): 220
• Phase: Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

Study Locations

• Bangladesh
  • Dhaka, Bangladesh
    • Bangladesh Medical University

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: Adult
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• Age groups of 18-45 years with
• Mild to moderate gingivitis,
• Patients with a minimum of 20 teeth, and
• Patients who have not undergone periodontal treatment in the past 6 months.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Use of anti-inflammatory drugs and antibiotics in previous 6 months;
• Individuals with prosthetic appliances or orthodontic appliances that would interfere with evaluation
• Allergy to Triphala and Chlorhexidine used in the study;
• Smokers or users of tobacco in any form
• Lactating females or pregnant women
• Mental-retarded patients.

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

• Primary Purpose: Treatment
• Allocation: Randomized
• Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
• Masking: None (Open Label)

Number of Arms

2

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm	Intervention / Treatment
Experimental: 6% Triphala mouthwash; Experimental: 15ml of 6%Triphala mouthwash twice daily for 30 days.	Other: 6% Triphala mouthwash; participants received 15 ml of 6% triphala mouthwash twice daily for 30 days
Placebo Comparator: placebo Comparator:Placebo Participants received 15 ml of 6% chlorhexidine mouthwash; placebo Participants received 15 ml mouthwash twice daily for 30 days	Other: .2% chlorhexidine mouthwash; participants received 15 ml of .2% chlorhexidine mouthwash twice daily for 30 days

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
PIaque Index	plaque index 0:no plaque is in the area adjacent to the gingiva plaque index 1:there is a plaque in the form of a thin film on the gingival margin plaque index 2:there is a visible plaque in the gingival pocket and gingival margin plaque index 3:there is a dense plaque in the gingival pocket and gingival margin	30 days
Gingival Index	Gingival index 0: Healthy gums. Gingival index 1: Mild discolouration and oedematous gingiva. No bleeding on probing. Gingival index 2: Red, oedematous and shiny gingiva. There is bleeding on probing. Gingival index 3: Red, oedematous and ulcerated gingiva. There is spontaneous bleeding.	30 days
BIeeding Index		30 days

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Bangladesh Medical University

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Actual): March 15, 2025
• Primary Completion (Actual): August 31, 2025
• Study Completion (Actual): November 30, 2025

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: February 9, 2026
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: February 15, 2026
• First Posted (Actual): February 23, 2026

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): February 23, 2026
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: February 15, 2026
• Last Verified: July 1, 2024

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Periodontal Diseases; Mouth Diseases; Stomatognathic Diseases; Infections; Gingival Diseases; Gingivitis
• Other Study ID Numbers: BSMMU/2024/6798

Drug and device information, study documents

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product: No
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: No