Evaluation of Antiplaque Efficacy of a Propolis-Based Herbal Toothpaste: A Single-Blind Parallel Clinical Trail

Background and Aim: In recent years, the use of herbal oral care products has been taken into consideration for reducing dental plaque accumulation. Propolis has been widely used in medicine due to its multiple biological properties. The aim of this study was to evaluate the antiplaque efficacy of an herbal toothpaste containing propolis in comparison with a control group. Materials and Methods: This single-blind parallel clinical trial was conducted among 60 dental students. The baseline plaque index was evaluated using a plaque indicator one hour after brushing without toothpaste. Participants were randomly assigned to two groups: (A) herbal toothpaste with propolis, and (B) herbal toothpaste without propolis. After four weeks, the plaque index was re-examined and recorded. Quantitative variables were analyzed by independent t-test, and the mean and standard deviation (SD) were reported. P<0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: The mean plaque index differences were not significant between the two groups at the beginning of the study, while there was a significant difference after four weeks (P˂0.001). The results signify an approximate 1.7-unit reduction in the mean plaque index of subjects using toothpaste with propolis in comparison with a 0.7-unit reduction in subjects using toothpaste without propolis. Conclusion: The herbal toothpaste containing propolis was more effective in reducing plaque accumulation in comparison with the control group. Considering the effect of propolis-containing toothpastes on the reduction of dental plaque accumulation, these can be used as an effective oral hygiene product.