A commercially available mouth rinse with ethyl lauroyl arginate and essential oils claims to
have enhanced antimicrobial properties as compared to the traditional essential oil products.
The aim of the present study was to compare the plaque and gingivitis inhibiting effect of
the commercial product containing essential oils with ethyl lauroyl arginate with one placebo
and one negative control in a modified experimental gingivitis model. In three groups of
healthy volunteers, experimental gingivitis was induced and monitored over 21 days,
simultaneously treated with the commercial test solution, 21.6% hydro-alcohol solution and
sterile water respectively. The maxillary right quadrant of each individual received
mouthwash only, whereas the maxillary left quadrant was subject to both rinsing and
mechanical oral hygiene. Compliance and side effects were monitored at day 7, 14, and 21.
Plaque and gingivitis scores were obtained at baseline and at day 21.