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Clinical Assessment of the Effect of Hypericum perforatum Chewing Gum on Salivary Streptococcus mutans Count, pH, Plaque Index, and Gingival Bleeding: A Randomized Clinical Trial

Jamali A, Hamishehkar H, Memar MY, Mousavi Kalajahi SE, Kouhsoltani M, Kosari-Nasab M

Clinical and experimental dental research, 2026

54 participants · 1 citation

Abstract

Objectives: Hypericum perforatum L. offers several beneficial effects, for example antioxidant, antitumor, wound healing. Our aim was to ascertain the effect of H. perforatum extract gum on salivary Streptococcus mutans count, pH, plaque index, and gingival bleeding.

Materials and methods: A total of 54 participants were assigned into two groups of gum with or without herbal extract. Unstimulated saliva was collected to assess Streptococcus mutans and pH.

Results: Statistically significant differences in plaque index were observed between before and after use of gum in both groups (p < 0.01). There was a significant difference in plaque index after applying H. perforatum gum compared to placebo (p < 0.01). Statistically significant differences in gum bleeding between before and after use of herbal gum were observed (p < 0.01), but no significant difference was observed in gum bleeding between before and after gum use in placebo group (p = 0.24). A significant difference was observed in gum bleeding between herbal and placebo groups (p < 0.01). There was significant difference in Streptococcus mutans count between before and after gum use in both groups in two measurements (p < 0.01). Further, there was a significant difference in Streptococcus mutans count between herbal gum and placebo groups in two measurements (p < 0.01). Significant differences were observed in salivary pH between before and after consuming gum in herbal gum and placebo groups (p < 0.01 and p = 0.003,…

How strong is the evidence?

Evidence Hub reads this as a randomized trial, done in people. Its evidence level is 2 of 5 (High · randomized trial). Randomized trials of a reasonable size are the strongest single-study design. Reported size: 54 participants or records.

How the five levels of evidence work. The level is assigned automatically from the abstract and can be wrong, so check the paper.

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