A comparative evaluation of toothpaste tablets and a conventional toothpaste in assessing supragingival plaque and gingivitis among patients in Nellore city, Andhra Pradesh: a randomized clinical trial

Background: Toothpaste tablets have emerged as a sustainable alternative to conventional toothpaste by reducing plastic waste. However, evidence regarding their effectiveness in controlling supragingival plaque accumulation and gingival inflammation remains limited, particularly among Indian adults. This study aimed to compare the effectiveness of toothpaste tablets and conventional toothpaste in reducing supragingival plaque accumulation and gingival inflammation among adults. Methods: A parallel-arm, randomized, open-label clinical trial was conducted among 60 adults attending Narayana Dental College and Hospital, Nellore, Andhra Pradesh. Following baseline assessment using the O'Leary Plaque Control Record and the Loe and Silness Gingival Index, all participants underwent oral prophylaxis and were randomly allocated to the toothpaste tablet group (n=30) or the conventional toothpaste group (n=30). Participants brushed twice daily using the modified bass technique for four weeks. Intragroup and intergroup comparisons were performed using the Wilcoxon Signed-Rank Test and Mann-Whitney U test, respectively, with statistical significance set at p<0.05. Results: Both intervention groups demonstrated significant reductions in plaque control record and Gingival Index scores after four weeks (p<0.001). No statistically significant differences were observed between groups for plaque control (p=0.847) or gingival health (p=0.629). Conclusions: Toothpaste tablets demonstrated clinical effectiveness comparable to conventional toothpaste in reducing supragingival plaque accumulation and gingival inflammation after four weeks. These findings suggest that toothpaste tablets may serve as a sustainable alternative to conventional dentifrices without compromising clinical outcomes. Further randomized clinical trials with larger sample sizes and longer follow-up are recommended.