The efficacy of Salvia officinalis mouthwash extract on gingivitis and its acceptance by pediatric patients: an in vivo comparative study

Background: Children are more prone to develop gingivitis as a result of poor brushing and flossing proficiency, a lack of dedication to maintaining excellent oral hygiene, morphological variance in deciduous teeth, and a diet that encourages the growth of pathogenic oral bacteria. Aim: The aim of this study is to compare the therapeutic effect of a Salvia officinalis (Common Sage) extract mouth rinse related to that of Chlorhexidine mouth rinse, as well as the pediatric patient's tolerance to their taste. Methodology: In this study 48 patients aged between (8-10) years divided into 3 groups each with 16 patients one treated using Sage mouthwash the second treated with Chlorhexidine mouthwash (0.12%) (Positive control) third group treated with distilled water (negative control). One way ANOVA with Tukey's Honest Significant Difference HSD test were used for data assessment. Results: Significant differences were found among tested groups (P<0.05) regarding gingival index and acceptance of the mouth washes being evaluated. Chlorhexidine has superior efficacy compared to Sage in treating gingivitis, however Sage should better acceptance from patients. Conclusion: Herbal mouthwashes made from Salvia officinalis have a lot of potential for treating and preventing periodontal disease in young children, and they have less side effects than conventional mouthwashes.