The aim of this double blind study was to evaluate the effect of various mouthwashes: Chlorhexidine, Essential oil, Azadirachta indica (Neem) extract, and Povidone iodine on gingival tissue interleukin-2 (IL-2) and interferon-γ (IFN-γ) levels in patients with chronic gingivitis. A total of 80 patients (42 boys, 38 girls; mean age 16.0 ± 1.8 years) were included in this study. Patients were randomly assigned into four groups of 20 each: Group I- Azadirachta indica (Neem) extract, Group II - Essential oil, Group III - Povidone iodine, and Group IV - Chlorhexidine. They were instructed to use these mouthwashes for two weeks. Plaque and gingival indices scores, and IL-2 and IFN-γ levels in the gingival tissues were measured at baseline and after two weeks of mouthwash use. Results showed the reduction of plaque and gingival indices, and IL-2 and IFN-γ level with Chlorhexidine, Essential oil, and Povidone iodine, which were found to be statistically significant. Although Neem reduced the level of plaque and gingival indices, and IL-2 and IFN-γ to a certain level, it was not statistically significant. Therefore, Chlorhexidine, Essential oil, and Povidone iodine mouthwashes can be used as an adjunct to oral prophylaxis in reducing pro-inflammatory cytokines, IL-2 and IFN-γ in patients with chronic gingivitis.

Objective:To evaluate the melatonin levels in saliva in gingivitis and periodontitis cases.Background:Melatonin has strong antioxidant, free radical scavenging, and immunomodulating properties, acts on osteoblasts directly to stimulate cell proliferation and synthesis of Type I collagen, and promotes bone formation.Materials and Methods:A total of thirty participants were selected and divided into three groups (control group, gingivitis group, and periodontitis group). In each group, ten participants were taken. Salivary melatonin was estimated in each of the three groups.Results:Results from this study showed that the mean levels of salivary melatonin increased as severity increased from control to periodontitis, i.e., the mean levels were highest in periodontitis followed by gingivitis and least in control group. The melatonin level of all participants was positively and significantly (P < 0.01) correlated with their gingival index (r = 0.85, P < 0.01) and probing depth (r = 0.72, P < 0.01).Conclusion:Salivary melatonin level varied with the severity of gingivitis and periodontitis. With increased severity of periodontal disease, the level of salivary melatonin also increased suggesting that salivary melatonin may act as a diagnostic biomarker for periodontal diseases.

This study was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of desensitizing agents for the treatment of dentin hypersensitivity. Seventy-five hypersensitive teeth in 10 patients were studied. These were divided into five groups of 15 hypersensitive teeth: group I, control (triple distilled water); group II, 10% strontium chloride; group III, 5% potassium nitrate; group IV, 2% sodium fluoride; and group V, 40% formalin. The stimulus used to test thermal sensitivity was cold water at 15 degrees C, 10 degrees C, 5 degrees C, and 0 degrees C applied on every alternate day for 10 days. Results showed that 10% strontium chloride solution, 2% sodium fluoride solution, and 40% formalin solution significantly reduced dentin hypersensitivity, whereas a 5% solution of potassium nitrate did not.