Original Research Article DOI: 10.18231/2393-9834.2017.0007 J Dent Specialities.2017;5(1):31-35 31 Comparative effect of Herbal and Carbopol formulated dentifrices on established gingivitis Nikita Gupta 1,* , Anamika Sharma 2 , Rohan Chaudhary 3 1 Senior Lecturer, Dept. of Periodontology and Oral Implantology, I.T.S Centre for Dental Studies and Research, Muradnagar, Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh, 2 Professor & HOD, Dept. of Periodontology, Subharti Dental College & Hospital, Meerut, Uttar Pradesh, 3 PG Student, Dept. of Pedodontics, Divya-Jyoti Dental College, Modinagar, Uttar Pradesh, India. *Corresponding Author: Email: nikitagupta@its.edu.in Abstract Introduction: Bacteria in dental plaque are one of the main etiological factors causing periodontal disease. Gingivitis is common and non-specific inflammatory reaction to a complex indigenous micro-biota. Supra-gingival plaque control is an effective method of controlling gingivitis and the most widely practiced form of oral hygiene is tooth brushing with a dentifrice. Carbopol dentifrice has added properties like mucoadhesion and polymeric mineral surface active agents like carbomers making it superior to other dentifrices for controlling gingivitis. Purpose: To evaluate and compare the effectiveness of Herbal dentifrice and Carbopol formulated dentifrice in subjects with established gingivitis. Materials and Method: 30 subjects with chronic marginal gingivitis were selected and randomly divided into 2 groups. Group 1 received Carbopol formulated dentifrice. Group 2 received Herbal dentifrice. Subjects were asked to use the allocated dentifrice, two times a day, for 42 days. Values of Simplified oral hygiene index, Plaque index, Gingival index, and Sulcular bleeding index were assessed at baseline, after 21 and at 42 days. Data was analyzed by Student’s t-test (α = 0.05). Results: Oral hygiene (tooth brushing with dentifrices for 42 days) led to a significant decrease in plaque accumulation by 13% in group 1 and 8% in group 2. Simplified oral hygiene index showed improvement by 23% in group 1 and 10% in groups 2, Gingival sulcus bleeding showed reduction by 62% in group 1 and 24% in group 2 and gingival inflammation decreased by 14% in group 1 and 9% in group 2. Outcome of various indices in Carbopol formulated group (Gp1) showed a significant improvement in all the parameters (P < 0.05), except sulcular bleeding index from baseline to 42 days as compared to the Herbal test group (Gp2). Conclusion: Continuous use of Carbopol formulated dentifrice provided significant improvement of oral hygiene level in patients with established gingivitis. Keywords: Dental plaque, Gingivitis, Herbal, Carbopol formulated, Dentifrice Introduction Dental plaque is a microbial biofilm which is invariably present on the hard and soft tissues of the oral cavity and it contains a complex blend of various microorganisms. Plaque is considered as the precursor of dental caries, gingivitis and periodontitis. The prevention and control of dental caries and periodontal disease is dependent on optimal plaque control. (1) Self- performed mechanical plaque removal is an unquestioned method of controlling plaque and gingivitis. (2) The considerable prevalence of gingival inflammation within the general population suggests that most patients practice inadequate oral hygiene, particularly within certain regions of their mouths and in certain areas of their teeth. (3) The need for additional help in controlling bacterial plaque provides the rationale for patients to use antimicrobial dentifrices in addition to their mechanical oral hygiene regimens. (4) A number of controlled clinical trials have demonstrated that tooth brushing with herbal dentifrices reduces supra-gingival plaque and gingivitis. (5) Interest in natural-based toothpastes has increased recently. Of the various herbal dental products considered, Hiora-K (Himalaya herbal healthcare) has received great attention. It is composed of certain herbal extracts like Palakya (spinacia oleracea), Triphala, Trikatu. Palakya (spinacia oleracea) that contain natural oxalate compounds, which help in forming phytocomplexes on the teeth that occludes dentinal tubules and blocks the pain transmission. It also contains certain herbal powders like Suryakshara and Yashodabhasma that have immune stimulatory properties and are natural antiseptic. Naturally derived Suryakshara (potassium nitrate) inhibits pain in hypersensitive teeth through its desensitizing effect on dentinal nerves. Oils like Twak (cinnamomum zeylanicum) that act as natural anti- inflammatory agent and Lavanga (syzygium aromaticum) are also present. Lavanga (clove) contains an anesthetic chemical compound called eugenol and oil of clove that acts as an antiseptic. Sukumaran (6) conducted a study to evaluate the efficacy and safety of Hiora-K toothpaste on sensitive tooth and the efficacy parameters showed good results with an overall improvement and no adverse effects. Good plaque control preserves oral health for a lifetime. Many clinical studies clearly indicate that the major deposits of plaque form in stagnation areas, such as the proximal areas, gingival margins, and defects in the teeth. (7) These areas are protected from the natural