Guava and vitamin C has a preventive effect on the development of experimental gingivitis. - GreenMedInfo Summary

OBJECTIVE: To study the effect of guava and synthetic vitamin C on the development of gingival inflammation during experimental gingivitis.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: Participants were randomly assigned to three groups supplemented daily with either 200g guava, 200mg synthetic vitamin C or water. The study included a 14 days pre-experimental period with oral hygiene instructions, scaling, prophylaxis and supplementation. Thereafter, experiment gingivitis was initiated, while continuing supplementation. At baseline, day 7 and day 14 of experimental gingivitis, Plaque Index (PlI) and Gingival Index (GI) were assessed. During the entire study, dietary fruit/vegetables intake was minimal.

RESULTS: PlI increased in guava-, vitamin C- and control group (ΔPlI: 1.30, 1.61 and 1.79 respectively). However, the guava group developed significantly less plaque compared to the control group. The GI increase of both guava- and vitamin C group was significantly less than the increase of the control group (ΔGI: 0.10, 0.24 and 0.87 respectively).

CONCLUSION: in a population of young non-smoking adults, consumption of either 200g guava/day or 200mg synthetic vitamin C/day, prior to and during the oral hygiene abstention period, has a preventive effect on the development of experimental gingivitis as compared to the control group that developed the usual amount of experimental gingivitis. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.