Evaluating the Effect of Propolis-containing Toothpaste on Dental Plaques of Dentistry Students of Dentistry School, Zahedan University of Medical Sciences, Zahedan, Iran

Dental plaque control has always been an important issue and a variety of methods and materials are provided for this purpose. One of these materials is propolis which has anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. The present study aimed to evaluate the effect of propolis-containing toothpaste on dental plaques of dentistry students of Dental School of Zahedan University of Medical Sciences, Zahedan, Iran.

This cross-sectional double-blind clinical trial was conducted on 30 dentistry students. First, the gums of all students were examined. Then, dental plaque and gingival indices for each participant were prepared at baseline, followed by removing dental calculus and plaque. Students were divided into two groups, the first group was given a propolis-containing toothpaste and the second group was given a non-propolis toothpaste. After two weeks of using these toothpaste types, dental plaque and gingival indices of all subjects were measured. After one week of washout, dental plaque and gingival indices were measured once again. This time, the first group was given a non-propolis toothpaste and the second group was given a propolis-containing toothpaste. After two weeks of usage, dental plaque and gingival indices were measured. Data were analyzed using SPSS software (version 22) and independent and paired t-test.

Although the plaque index decreased in both toothpaste types, a higher decrease was observed in propolis-containing toothpaste (P=0.002). In addition, the gingival index decreased in both groups; however, this decrease in gingival index in the group using propolis-containing toothpaste was significant (P<0.001).

Results of the present study indicated thatpropolis was effective in reducing dental plaque and gingival indices.