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In pregnant women, ginger mouthwash reduces gingival inflammation and stress biomarkers as effectively as chlorhexidine without causing adverse effects.
Could a common kitchen spice offer a novel approach to oral care during pregnancy? Ginger, known for its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant powers, is emerging as a potential option for tackling pregnancy-associated gingivitis. A triple-blind, randomized clinical trial investigated the impact of ginger mouthwash on periodontal health and salivary biomarkers in pregnant women experiencing both stress and gingivitis.
The study enrolled 45 pregnant women and compared three mouthwash groups: ginger mouthwash, chlorhexidine (CHX), the standard antiseptic comparator, and distilled water as a placebo. Volunteers also undertook diaphragmatic breathing and progressive muscle relaxation (PMR). Clinical periodontal assessments—including bleeding on probing (BOP), plaque index (PI), and gingival index (GI)—and salivary cortisol and lactoferrin measurements were carried out at baseline and after 7 days. The enrolled subjects also completed a visual analog scale (VAS)-based questionnaire at the second visit.
Improvement in gingival health
All groups illustrated remarkable reductions in BOP, PI, and GI after the intervention period. However, ginger mouthwash and CHX elicited better improvements in these periodontal indices than the placebo, indicating their potential to control gingival inflammation and plaque accumulation over the short term.
Reduction in salivary cortisol and lactoferrin
Beyond improvements in oral health, the interventions were associated with reductions in salivary cortisol (a biomarker linked to physiological stress) and lactoferrin (an immune-related protein associated with inflammatory responses). Questionnaire analysis revealed noteworthy differences between the ginger mouthwash and CHX groups for questions 1 and 3, whereas differences for questions 2, 4, 5, and 6 were not statistically significant.
Safety profile
No adverse effects were reported with ginger mouthwash during the study period, suggesting potential for further investigation as a plant-based option for pregnancy-associated oral care.
Clinical implications
This trial, led by Batool Abbas Tareq et al., highlights ginger mouthwash as a safe, natural, and highly potent substitute for CHX in managing pregnancy-induced gingivitis. By combining strong antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effect against oral pathogens with high patient acceptability, ginger rinses present a promising adjunct for maternal oral healthcare routines.
The Eurasian Journal of Medicine
The Impact of Ginger Mouthwash on Pregnant Women with Stress and Gingivitis by Measuring Different Salivary Biomarker Levels
Batool Abbas Tareq et al.
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