Avaliação clínica da efetividade de um enxaguatório à base da romã (Punica granatum Linn.) sobre o controle de biofilme dental e inflamação gengival em escolares

Abstract

Numerous studies researches have demonstrated the effectiveness of mouthrinses containing antimicrobial active ingredients in preventing and controlling both supragingival biofilm and gingivitis, specially when used adjunctively to mechanical oral hygiene regimens. In vitro and clinical research on products of plant origin have shown promising results for the control of biofilm. Among these, the Punica granatum Linn shows antimicrobial and antiadherent activity against dental biofilm microorganisms. The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical effectiveness of a mouthwash of Punica granatum Linn. against biofilm and gingival inflammation in school children. A clinical prospective longitudinal, double-blind trial was carried, using chlorhexidine digluconate as control group in two public schools in the city of Campina Grande-PB, Brazil. The sample consisted of 35 children with 9-12 years-old who were divided into the following two groups. The group A, used a mouthwash with chlorhexidine 0.12% twice daily for 14 days and group B used a mouthwash pomegranate to 6.25%, following the same protocol used by the group A. The Plaque Index (IP) and Index Bleeding on Probing (ISS) were assessed at days 0, 7 and 14, as well as was measured counts Streptococcus oral saliva collected at days 0 and 14. The data were analyzed with SPSS, version 17.0 using descriptive and inferential uni and bivariate statistics, and through analysis of the t Student test to assess differences between groups, using a significance level of 5% (p <0.05). Statistical analysis showed that pomegranate reduced the mean count of IP and oral Streptococcus, although the reduction of these parameters have been significant in the control group. It was showed a reduction in the mean Gingival Bleeding Index (ISS) in both groups, with no statistically significant difference between them. It was concluded that the mouthwash pomegranate were effective in controlling biofilm and gingival inflammation, suggesting that it can be used effectively and safely as a phytoterapic product for oral hygiene.