Common oral health problems like gingivitis, halitosis and dentinal hypersensitivity affect all people irrespective of age, gender and race. These conditions in particular affect the quality of life of the individual almost on a daily basis. In south India, studies report a prevalence of gingivitis to be 57%, and 47% from halitosis respectively. A plethora of treatment options are available to alleviate these conditions ranging from professional intervention to home care solutions, but individuals by majority opt for home care remedies. The principal home care remedy for the treatment of such common oral problems is dentifrice.

Medicated dentifrice containing chemicals such as triclosan or chlorhexidine is the gold standard for treating gingivitis and halitosis. They have their own merits but also causes tooth staining, taste alterations and rare instances mucosal desquamation and microbial resistance owing to prolonged use. Further, not much has been explored regarding a suitable herbal alternative towards the treatment of dentinal hypersensitivity.

Recent focus has shifted to the anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties of natural products, because of the widespread microbial resistance as a consequence of drug overuse. Several plants with herbal properties were identified through literature search and used through centuries by our forefathers to treat several oral conditions. The principal ingredients included in the phytotheraputic paste contain Terminalia chebula, Phylathus embelica, Terminalia belerica, Glycyrrhiza glabra, Acmella oleracea, Salvadora perscia, Ficus benghalensis among others.

We intend to check the effectiveness of a poly herbal paste formualtion with the aforementioned components to treat conditions such as gingivitis and halitosis. 

Aim: to evaluate the effectiveness of a polyherbal formulation to treat gingivitis and halitosis over a period of three months: A randomized controlled trial.