Periodontal Therapy with 0.25%Lemongrass Oil Mouthwash in Reducing Risk of Cardiovascular Diseases: A 3-Arm Prospective Parallel Experimental Study

BACKGROUND: Periodontal disease is associated with cardiovascular diseases because of its role in host immune-inflammatory response. Serum lipids are the commonest risk factors between periodontal disease and cardiovascular diseases. MATERIALS AND METHOD: A double blinded randomised clinical trial was carried out among 45 subjects with generalised severe periodontitis. They were divided into 3-groups of 15 subjects each. Group A: 0.25% lemongrass oil mouthwash, Group B: 0.12% chlorhexidine mouthwash and Group C: Oral prophylaxis only Group. Oral examinations like assessment of Probing Pocket Depth and Clinical Attachment Loss and Bio-chemical tests like assessment of C-Reactive Protein, Total Cholesterol, High Density Lipid, Low Density Lipid and triglycerides were conducted at baseline followed by oral prophylaxis at the same visit. Reassessment of the above mentioned parameters were done after 3 months of intervention. Data so collected were subjected for statistical analysis using SPSS ver. 20.0. RESULTS: A statistically significant reduction in C-Reactive Protein, Probing Pocket Depth, Clinical Attachment Loss, Total Cholesterol and Low Density Lipid level in 0.25% lemongrass oil mouthwash group was found. On comparing a statistically significant difference was observed for the post intervention scores of Probing Pocket Depth and Clinical Attachment Loss only; for Group A v/s C and Group B v/s C. CONCLUSION: 0.25% Lemongrass oil mouthwash was found to be a good herbal alternative; both in the treatment of chronic periodontitis and reduction in the level of serum markers of Cardio Vascular Diseasess.