Oral medicineEffect of mouth cleaning with hinokitiol-containing gel on oral malodor: a randomized, open-label pilot study

AimThe aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of mouth cleaning with hinokitiol-containing gel on oral malodor.MethodsAn open-label, randomized, controlled trial was conducted to assess oral malodor and clinical parameters related to oral malodor before and after mouth cleaning with hinokitiol-containing gel (n = 9) or with gel not including hinokitiol (n = 9). Mouth cleaning included the teeth, gingiva, and tongue and was carried out 3 times per day for 4 weeks.ResultsOrganoleptic test (OLT) scores (P = .021), levels of hydrogen sulfide (P = .008) and methyl mercaptan (P = .020), frequency of bleeding on probing, average probing pocket depth, and plaque index significantly improved in the group using hinokitiol. In contrast, only the OLT score (P = .031) significantly improved in the control group after the treatment regimen.ConclusionMouth cleaning with hinokitiol-containing gel may be effective for reduction of oral malodor.