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Evaluation of Potential Effect of Menthol Solution on Oral Hygiene Status of Dental Students in a University in Iraq
Ali, Nidhal A.; Abbas, Maha J. & AL-Bayaty, Fouad H.
Abstract
Purpose: To test the effect of menthol extract on the oral hygiene status of dental students of Faculty of
Dentistry, Al- Mustansiriya University, Baghdad, Iraq.
Methods: A solution (18 mg %) of menthol was prepared by dissolving menthol crystals in absolute
ethanol. Chlorhexidine (CHX, 0.2 %) and deionized water were used as positive and negative controls,
respectively. Menthol was examined for its toxic effect. Twenty male albino mice were injected
intraperitoneally with a low (10 mg/ml) and high dose (50 mg/ml) of the menthol solution, and acute
toxicity (LD50) calculated. A double-blind crossover was designed to test plaque re-growth over 5 days.
Thirty male dental student volunteers were asked to cease tooth cleaning and then rinse with 10 ml of
menthol solution three times daily for 1.5 min, twice daily with CHX and deionized water. Plaque,
gingival and bleeding scores were recorded on days 0 and 5. A washout period of 2 weeks was allowed,
and then a new test was initiated. The data obtained were analysed statistically.
Results: Menthol mouthwash demonstrates a significant reduction in plaque, gingival and bleeding
indices of 0.56, 0.45 and 0.03, respectively. CHX induced a greater reduction in these parameters than
menthol with indices of 0.14, 0.26, and 0.04, respectively.
Conclusion: Menthol mouth rinse (0.018 %) is an antiplaque and anti-gingivitis agent, though less
effective than CHX.
Keywords
Menthol mouth rinse; Chlorhexidine; Dental plaque; Gingivitis; Oral hygiene
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