Abstract
M.Tech. (Homoeopathy)
Gingivitis is defined as inflammation of the gingiva caused by plaque accumulation on the surfaces of the teeth (Martin, 2007). It is characterized by bleeding of the gingivae, which appear swollen and red. There may be changes in the consistency of the gingivae, where they appear soft and yielding. There may also be tenderness and discomfort, with a sensation of tingling or itching of the gingivae. Conventional treatments for gingivitis include proper oral hygiene, removal of plaque, and use of an antimicrobial mouthwash, or a corticosteroid rinse or paste (Porter & Kaplan, 2011). The antimicrobial mouthwash of choice is chlorhexidine gluconate (Summers, 2009). Chlorhexidine works by destroying the amount of pathogenic bacteria present in the mouth but it has adverse effects including staining of teeth, altered or unpleasant taste, a temporary loss of taste, dry and painful mucosa and an increase in supragingival calculus formation (Southern et al., 2006). Ora-saltsTM is a readily available mouthwash. It is composed of 119.5 grams of natural sea salt, Arnica montana 30C, Echinacea angustifolia 30C, Staphysagria 30C, Phosphorus 30C, Hepar sulphuris 30C, 0.27 grams of cinnamon and 0.27 grams of liquorice. To date there is no research on the use of Ora-salts™ in the treatment of gingivitis.
The aim of this study was to determine the efficacy of Ora-salts™ in the treatment of gingivitis as measured by the Modified Gingival Index (MGI) and the Quantitative Gingival Bleeding Index (QGBI).
This was a randomized, double-blind, controlled, 8-day study conducted at the Homoeopathy Health Centre at the University of Johannesburg (UJ), Doornfontein campus. Forty nine participants (aged between 18 and 70) were recruited with the aid of purposive non-probability sampling via an advertisement (Appendix A) placed at UJ, Doornfontein campus and at a private dental practice in Sandton (Appendix B) with relevant permission given. Participants were also recruited through word of mouth. There were 45 participants that completed the study. Participants were paired based on similar ratings received using the MGI, and were randomly assigned into either the experimental group (Group A) or control group (Group B). The participants in group A received Ora-salts™, and the participants in group B received natural sea salt. Participants were asked to dissolve 1 level scoop of Ora-salts™ or the control in 125 ml of warm water and mix; they were then requested to rinse and gargle in the mouth for 30 seconds, then expel and not swallow the mixture. Participants were requested to use the mouthwash twice a day, 5 minutes after brushing their teeth.
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At the initial consultation the researcher performed a clinical assessment which included recording vital signs, and assessing inflammation of the gingiva with the use of the MGI. The participants were requested to grade their severity of gingival bleeding according to the QGBI, from day 1 to day 7 of the study.
Data collected from the MGI and QGBI indexes was statistically analysed by means of essential data assessment including frequencies, descriptive statistics and cross tabulations. The Shapiro-Wilk test was utilised to assess normality. Parametric tests were used to analyse the data collected from the MGI. Parametric tests performed include the paired samples t-test used to compare mean scores within groups and the independent samples t-test was used to compare between groups. Non- parametric tests were utilised to analyse the data collected from the QGBI. The non-parametric tests performed included the Friedman test and Wilcoxon Signed Ranks test to determine where the differences within each group occurred over time, and the Mann-Whitney test to determine where differences between groups occurred (Van Staden, 2014)