Dental biofilm control represents a basic procedure to prevent caries and the occurrence of periodontal diseases. Currently, toothbrushes and dentifrices are used almost universally, and the employment of good oral hygiene allows for appropriate biofilm removal by both mechanical and chemical control. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of adding vegetable or mineral oil to a commercially available dentifrice in dental biofilm control. A comparison using the Oral Hygiene Index Simplified (OHI-S) was performed in 30 individuals who were randomly divided into three groups. Group 1 (G1) received a commercially available dentifrice; the composition of this dentifrice was modified by addition of mineral oil (Nujol®) for group 2 (G2) or a vegetable oil (Alpha Care®) for group 3 (G3) at 10% of the total volume, respectively. The two-way repeated-measures analysis of variance (two-way ANOVA) was used to test the effect of group (G1, G2 and G3) or time (baseline, 45 days and 90 days) on the OHI-S index scores. Statistical analysis revealed a significant reduction in the OHI-S at day 90 in G2 (p < 0.05) and G3 (p < 0.0001) in comparison to G1. Therefore, the addition of a vegetable or a mineral oil to a commercially available dentifrice improved dental biofilm control, suggesting that these oils may aid in the prevention and/or control of caries and periodontal disease.

Introdução: Apesar da diminuição da incidência de cárie dentária na população mundial, devida aos inúmeros recursos disponíveis para seu controle, a inadequada higienização bucal levando ao acúmulo de biofilme dentário ainda constitui fator de risco para essa doença. O controle do biofilme dentário representa procedimento fundamental na prevenção de cárie e doença periodontal. Correntemente, o uso de escovas e dentifrícios é quase universal e quando boa higiene oral é praticada, mesmo se sabendo que a persistência efetiva na escovação é incomum, pode-se conseguir a remoção adequada do biofilme com diferentes procedimentos mecânicos e químicos. Evidências clínicas e científicas apoiando o uso de óleos essenciais nos cuidados à saúde oral são descritas na literatura. A incorporação de óleos nos dentifrícios e enxaguatórios têm como objetivo favorecer a inibição do desenvolvimento do biofilme, pela redução da aderência bacteriana à película adquirida. Objetivo: atualizar o conhecimento sobre os efeitos de óleos essenciais como agentes no controle químico do biofilme dentário. Conclusão: o uso dos óleos essenciais proporciona benefícios no controle do biofilme e, consequentemente, na prevenção da cárie dentária e da doença periodontal. Escovação dentária; Placa dentária; Dentifrícios; Óleos voláteis. Introduction: Despite the decrease in the incidence of dental caries in the world population, due to the resources available for its control, an inadequate oral hygiene leading to accumulation of the dental biofilm is still a risk factor for this disease. The control of dental biofilm represents a basic procedure in the prevention of dental caries and periodontal disease. Currently, the use of brushes and toothpastes is almost universal and when good oral hygiene is practiced, even knowing that effective persistence in the brushing is uncommon, it is possible to obtain appropriate removal of the biofilm through different mechanical and chemical procedures. Clinical and scientific evidence supporting the use of essential oils in the oral health care has been described in the literature. The incorporation of oils in the toothpastes and mouthrinses aims to inhibit the biofilm development, through the reduction of the bacterial adherence to the acquired film. Objective: the aim of this study was to update the knowledge of the use of essential oils as chemical agents in the control of dental biofilm. Conclusion: the use of essential oils improve the control of dental biofilms and therefore of dental caries and periodontal disease prevention. Toothbrushing; Dental plaque; Dentifrices. Oils volatile.