Hyaluronic Acid as an Adjunct to Chlorhexidine Mouthwash in Managing Gingivitis: Randomized Clinical Trial
Keywords:
mouthwashes; patient satisfaction; gingivitis; taste alterationAbstract
Introduction: Gingivitis is one of the most common periodontal diseases. Chlorhexidine represents one of the most frequently used mouthwashes. Hyaluronic acid has anti-inflammatory, anti-edematous and antimicrobial effects beside improved tissue healing. The combined effect of the two mouthwashes was not investigated before.
Objective: To explore the efficacy of the use hyaluronic acid (HYL) mouthwash as adjunct to Chlorhexidine (CHX) mouthwash compared to Chlorhexidine mouthwash alone in gingivitis patients.
Methods: Sixteen gingivitis patients were randomly assigned to either control group (receiving CHX) or test group (receiving HYL+CHX) after supragingival scaling was performed. Clinical parameters (bleeding on probing (BoP) and plaque index (PI)) and patient-reported outcomes were assessed at baseline and seven days post-operatively.
Results: Intragroup analysis showed significant improvement of BoP (p-value= 0.014 for each; intervention and control) and of PI p-value=0.014 for each; intervention and control); but they failed to reach significant level in intergroup analysis (BoP=0.57; PI=0.96). Post-operative questionnaire revealed non-significant results.
Conclusions: Adding HYL to CHX showed comparable results to CHX alone regarding reduction of bleeding on probing and plaque index.
Downloads
References
1. Chapple ILC, Dommisch H, Glogauer M, Johnson GK, Mealey BL, Eickholz P, Dyke TE Van, Geisinger ML, Griffin TJ, Bartold PM, Genco RJ. Periodontal health and gingival diseases and conditions on an intact and a reduced periodontium: Consensus report of workgroup 1 of the 2017 World Workshop on the Classification of Periodontal and Peri-Implant Diseases and Conditions. Journal of Periodontology. 2018;89:74-84. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/JPER.17-0719
2. Trombelli L, Farina R, Silva CO, Tatakis DN. Plaque‐induced gingivitis: Case definition and diagnostic considerations. Journal of clinical periodontology. 2018;45(Suppl20):S44-S67. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/JPER.17-0576
3. Ilc C, F VDW, Doerfer C, Herrera D, Shapira L, Polak D, B EK, Arweiler N, Teughels W, Aimetti M, Molina A, Montero E, Shapira L, Polak D, Madianos P, et al. Primary prevention of periodontitis : managing gingivitis. J Clin Periodontol. 2015;42(Suppl. 16):S71-S6. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/jcpe.12366
4. Kilian M, Chapple ILCC, Hannig M, Marsh PD, Meuric V, Pedersen AMLL, Tonetti MS, Wade WG, Zaura E. The oral microbiome - An update for oral healthcare professionals. British Dental Journal. 2016 [acceso 22/02/2025];221(10):657-66. Disponible en: https://europepmc.org/article/MED/27857087
5. Hayasaki H, Saitoh I, Nakakura-Ohshima K, Hanasaki M, Nogami Y, Nakajima T, Inada E, Iwasaki T. Tooth brushing for oral prophylaxis. Japanese Dental Science Review. 2014;50(3):69-77. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jdsr.2014.04.001
6. Tomás I, García-Caballero L, López-Alvar E, et al. In situ chlorhexidine substantivity on saliva and plaque-like biofilm: influence of circadian rhythm. Journal of Periodontology. 2013;84(11):1662-72. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1902/jop.2013.120475
7. Karakostas P, Davidopoulou S, Kalfas S. Use of Hyaluronic Acid in Periodontal Disease Treatment: A Systematic Review. The Journal of Contemporary Dental Practice. 2022;23(3):10024-3308. DOI: https://doi.org/10.5005/jp-journals-10024-3308?urlappend=%3Futm_source%3Dresearchgate.net%26utm_medium%3Darticle
8. Saleh, Sahar Jawdat; Osman, Aly; and Aboelsaad, Nayer "Comparison Between Hyaluronic Acid and Chlorhexidine in the Treatment of Orthodontically Induced Gingival Enlargement: A Randomized Controlled Trial," International Arab Journal of Dentistry. 2023;(14):2,6. DOI: https://doi.org/10.65314/2218-0885.1232
9. Abdulkareem AA, Al Marah ZA, Abdulbaqi HR, Alshaeli AJ, Milward MR. A randomized double-blind clinical trial to evaluate the efficacy of chlorhexidine, antioxidant, and hyaluronic acid mouthwashes in the management of biofilm-induced gingivitis. International Journal of Dental Hygiene. 2020;18(3):268-77. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/idh.12432
10. Alqefari J, Alsoweed F, Fathi W, Bilal R. Clinical Efficacy of Hyaluronic Acid Gel Compared to Chlorhexidine Mouthwash in the Management of Plaque-Induced Gingivitis in Orthodontic Patients: A Clinical Trial. EC Dental Science. 2020;5:124-132. https://api.semanticscholar.org/CorpusID:216637022
11. Binshabaib M, Aabed K, Alotaibi F, Alwaqid M, Alfraidy A, Alharthi S. Antimicrobial efficacy of 0.8% Hyaluronic Acid and 0.2% Chlorhexidine against Porphyromonas gingivalis strains : An in-vitro study. Pak J Med Sci. 2020;36(2):111-14. DOI: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.36.2.1456
12. Karale A, Waghmare P, Dodwad V, Bhosale N. Comparative Evaluation of Efficacy of Mouthwash Containing Chlorhexidine Digluconate Alone and Chlorhexidine Digluconate in Combination with Hyaluronic Acid on Post-Operative Healing After Periodontal Flap Surgery - A Clinical Study. Indian Journal of Natural Sciences. 2025. [acceso 22/08/20025];15(88):88505-511. Disponible en: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/393163940_Comparative_Evaluation_of_Efficacy_of_Mouthwash_Containing_Chlorhexidine_Digluconate_Alone_and_Chlorhexidine_Digluconate_in_Combination_with_Hyaluronic_Acid_on_Post-Operative_Healing_After_Periodontal
13. Genovesi A, Barone A, Toti P, Covani U. The efficacy of 0.12 % chlorhexidine versus 0.12 % chlorhexidine plus hyaluronic acid mouthwash on healing of submerged single implant insertion areas : a short-term randomized controlled clinical trial. Int J Dent Hygiene. 2015;15(1):65-72. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/idh.12158
14. Hopewell S, Chan A, Collins GS, Hróbjartsson A, Moher D, Schulz KF, Tunn R, Aggarwal R, et al. CONSORT 2025 statement : Updated guideline for reporting randomised trials. BMJ. 2025;14;389:e081123. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj-2024-081123
15. Ainamo J, Bay I. Problems and proposals for recording gingivitis and plaque. International dental journal. 1975. [acceso 12/01/2025];25(4):229-35. Disponible en: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/1058834/
16. O'Leary, T.J., Drake, R.B. and Naylor, J.E. The Plaque Control Record. Journal of Periodontology. 1972;43:38-38. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1902/jop.1972.43.1.38
17. Paraskevas S, Rosema NAM, Versteeg P, Velden U Van der, Weijden GA Van der. Chlorine Dioxide and Chlorhexidine Mouthrinses Compared in a 3-Day Plaque Accumulation Model. Journal of Periodontology. 2008;79:1395-400. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1902/jop.2008.070654
18. Kanth YVS, satya SRB, sandhya V, lakshmi MM, rishitha C, radhika TV. Efficacy of hyaluronic acid and chlorhexidine mouthwash in periodontitis patients: a clinico - microbiological study. European Chemical Bulletin. 2023;12(Special issue4):15459-71 https://www.eurchembull.com/archives/volume-12/special%20issue-4/7056
19. Tonetti MS, Jepsen S, Jin L. Impact of the global burden of periodontal diseases on health, nutrition and wellbeing of mankind: A call for global action. Journal of Clinical Periodontology. 2017;44(5):456-62. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/jcpe.12732
20. James P Hv W, Parnell C, Harding M, Lamont T, Cheung A, Whelton H, et al. Chlorhexidine mouthrinse as an adjunctive treatment for gingival health. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2017;3(CD008676). DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.CD008676.pub2
21. Serrano J, Escribano M, Roldan S, Martın C, Herrera D. Efficacy of adjunctive anti-plaque chemical agents in managing gingivitis: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal of clinical periodontology. 2015;42(16):S106-38. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/JCPE.12331
22. Botelho MA, Bezerra Filho JG, Correa LL, Fonseca SGDC, Montenegro D, Gapski R, et al. Effect of a novel essential oil mouthrinse without alcohol on gingivitis: A double-blinded randomized controlled trial. Journal of Appl Oral Sci. 2007. [acceso28/01/2024]15(3):175-80 (ISSN: 1678-7765. Disponible en: https://reference.medscape.com/medline/abstract/19089126
23. Freires IDA, Alves LA, Ferreira GLS, Jovito VDC, Castro RD De, Cavalcanti AL. A randomized clinical trial of schinus terebinthifolius mouthwash to treat biofilm-induced gingivitis. Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine. 2013 [acceso 30/07/2024];30T13:42:40z. Disponible en: http://repositorioslatinoamericanos.uchile.cl/handle/2250/1271505
24. Dany SS, Mohanty P, Tangade P, Rajput P, Batra M. Efficacy of 0.25 % lemongrass oil mouthwash: A three arm prospective parallel clinical study. Journal of Clinical and Diagnostic Research. 2015;9(10):ZC13-ZC17. DOI: https://doi.org/10.7860/JCDR/2015/14465.6581
25. Armitage GC. The complete periodontal examination. Periodontology 2000. 2004;34:22-33. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1046/j.0906-6713.2002.003422.x
26. Zamboni F, Kwok C, Collins MN. Bioactive Materials Hyaluronic acid association with bacterial , fungal and viral infections : Can hyaluronic acid be used as an antimicrobial polymer for biomedical and pharmaceutical applications ? Bioactive Materials, 2023:458-473. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bioactmat.2022.04.023
27. Vitiello F, Monterubbianesi R, Sparabombe S, Bourgeois D, Tosco V, Alshehri FA, Carrouel F, Putignano A, Orsini G, et al. Use of over-the-counter mouthwashes as an additional measure in individual oral prophylaxis on adults with plaque-induced gingivitis : a double-blind , parallel , randomized controlled trial. BMC Oral Health. 2024;24(1):83. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12903-023-03779-1
28. Needleman I, Almond N, Leow N, Phillips J. Outcomes of periodontal therapy : Strengthening the relevance of research to patients . A co- created review. Periodontology 2000;00.1-15. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/prd.12483
29. Slot D, Berchier C, Addy M, Velden U Van der, Weijden G Van der. The efficacy of chlorhexidine dentifrice or gel on plaque, clinical parameters of gingival inflammation and tooth discoloration : a systematic review. International journal of dental hygiene. 2014;12:25-35. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/idh.12050
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2026 Heba Samir, Ayat Gamal-AbdelNaser, Mohamed Osama, Mohamed Kamal, AbdELRahman AbdelAtty, Areej Ahmed, Amira Khaled, Doaa Abdelmonaim, Rania Ahmed, Marwa Elsayed

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.
Authors retain all rights to their works, which they can reproduce and distribute as long as they cite the primary source of publication.
The Rev Cubana Estomatol is subject to the Creative Commons Attribution-Non-Commercial 4.0 International License (CC BY-NC 4.0) and follows the publication model of SciELO Publishing Schema (SciELO PS) for publication in XML format.
You are free to:
- Share — copy and redistribute the material in any medium or format.
- Adapt — remix, transform, and build upon the material.
The licensor cannot revoke these freedoms as long as you follow the license terms.
Under the following terms:
Attribution — You must give appropriate credit, provide a link to the license, and indicate if changes were made. You may do so in any reasonable manner, but not in any way that suggests the licensor endorses you or your use.
- NonCommercial — You may not use the material for commercial purposes.
No additional restrictions — You may not apply legal terms or technological measures that legally restrict others from doing anything the license permits.
Notices:
- You do not have to comply with the license for elements of the material in the public domain or where your use is permitted by an applicable exception or limitation.
- No warranties are given. The license may not give you all of the permissions necessary for your intended use. For example, other rights such as publicity, privacy, or moral rights may limit how you use the material.
