New mouthwash solutions containing microencapsulated natural extracts have been developed. Besides antiseptic activity, these solutions have antioxidant and immunoregulatory properties on oral tissues. The objective of this preliminary clinical study was to assess the efficiency of a mouthwash containing microencapsulated natural extracts (GingiNat, LoB5 Foundation, Paris, France) on gingivitis.
Mouthwash solutions are mainly used for their antiseptic properties. They currently include synthetic agents (chlorhexidine, triclosan, etc.) or essential oils (especially Listerine). Many natural extracts may also be used. These associate both antiseptic effects and direct action on host response, due to their antioxidant, immunoregulatory, analgesic, buffering, or healing properties. The best known are avocado oil, manuka oil, propolis oil, grapefruit seed extract, pycnogenol, aloe vera, Q10 coenzyme, green tea, and megamin. The development of new technologies, such as microencapsulation (GingiNat®concept), may allow an in situ slow release of active ingredients during several hours, and open new perspectives for mouthwash solutions.