# The Impact of Ginger Mouthwash on Pregnant Women with Stress and Gingivitis by Measuring Different Salivary Biomarker Levels

## TL;DR

This study shows that ginger mouthwash can reduce gum inflammation and stress markers in pregnant women as effectively as chlorhexidine, without side effects.

## Contribution

Ginger mouthwash is shown to be a safe and effective alternative to chlorhexidine for treating gingivitis in pregnant women.

## Key findings

- Ginger and chlorhexidine mouthwashes reduced gum inflammation more than placebo.
- All treatments reduced cortisol and lactoferrin levels, indicating reduced stress.
- Ginger mouthwash had comparable effectiveness to chlorhexidine without adverse effects.

## Abstract

Gingivitis is common among pregnant women due to hormonal changes, and stress can increase the severity. Chlorhexidine (CHX) is the standard treatment for gingivitis, but its side effects limit its use during pregnancy. Ginger has an anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effect. The research aims to evaluate ginger mouthwash’s impact on gingival health, cortisol, and lactoferrin (LF) levels in pregnant women with stress and gingivitis compared to distilled water and CHX.

The completed research was a parallel 3-arm triple-blind randomized clinical investigation. The study included 45 pregnant women with stress and gingivitis. Clinical periodontal indicators (bleeding on probing [BOP], plaque index [PI], and gingival index [GI]) were examined at baseline visit and after 7 days of using mouthwash, diaphragmatic breathing, and progressive muscle relaxation (PMR). Salivary cortisol and LF levels were measured, and a comparison was made before and after treatment. The participants answered a “visual analog scale-based questionnaire” at the second visit.

Significantly reduced in BOP, PI, and GI in all interventions, but ginger and CHX had a greater significant effect compared to placebo. All mouthwashes, diaphragmatic breathing, and PMR significantly reduced cortisol and LF concentrations. However, the responses to the questionnaire showed that ginger and CHX had significant differences in Q1 and Q3, while nonsignificant differences in Q2, Q4, Q5, and Q6.

Ginger mouthwash achieved CHX-comparable reductions in BOP, GI, and PI and decreased cortisol and LF concentrations after 1 week from baseline without adverse effects, highlighting a safe, natural alternative during pregnancy.