Hyaluronic Acid as an Adjunct to Chlorhexidine Mouthwash in Managing Gingivitis: Randomized Clinical Trial

Authors

Keywords:

mouthwashes; patient satisfaction; gingivitis; taste alteration

Abstract

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

Download data is not yet available.

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

2026-08-26

How to Cite

1.
Samir H, Gamal-AbdelNaser A, Osama M, Kamal M, AbdelAtty A, Ahmed A, et al. Hyaluronic Acid as an Adjunct to Chlorhexidine Mouthwash in Managing Gingivitis: Randomized Clinical Trial. Rev Cubana Estomatol [Internet]. 2026 Aug. 26 [cited 2026 Aug. 29];63. Available from: https://revestomatologia.sld.cu/index.php/est/article/view/5378

Issue

Section

Research Article