Aim: This study evaluated the efficacy of mouthrinses containing natural compounds—specifically, propolis and green tea extracts—in reducing bacterial dental plaque compared to a placebo and a 0.2% chlorhexidine rinse. We hypothesized that these natural compounds would significantly reduce plaque accumulation, with efficacy comparable to chlorhexidine. Objective: The objective was to evaluate the short-term efficacy of two natural mouthrinses—10% propolis and 5% green tea—compared to a placebo and 0.2% chlorhexidine in reducing dental plaque. Trial Design: The trial design was a randomized, placebo-controlled, parallel-group clinical trial with a 1:1:1:1 allocation ratio. Materials and Methods: In a single-blind, randomized, controlled trial, 60 healthy adult volunteers received a professional mechanical plaque removal (PMPR) and were then randomized into four groups (n = 15 each): a propolis mouthwash, a green tea mouthwash, a 0.2% chlorhexidine mouthwash (positive control), and a placebo rinse. The participants rinsed twice daily for four weeks in addition to standard tooth brushing. The plaque levels were assessed using the Silness–Löe plaque index at baseline and after four weeks. The data were analyzed using ANOVA and post hoc tests (α = 0.05). Ethical approval and informed consent were obtained. Results: All groups had similar baseline plaque scores (≈2.5). After four weeks, the propolis and green tea groups showed significant reductions in plaque (mean indices of 1.02 and 1.12, respectively) compared to the placebo group (mean index = 2.01, p < 0.001). The chlorhexidine group achieved a mean plaque index of 0.90. The propolis rinse showed no significant difference from chlorhexidine (p = 0.40), indicating comparable efficacy. The green tea rinse had a slightly higher plaque index than chlorhexidine (p = 0.03). No significant adverse effects were reported. Conclusions: Mouthwashes containing 10% propolis or 5% green tea significantly reduced dental plaque, with propolis demonstrating efficacy comparable to 0.2% chlorhexidine.

Background/Objectives: Young adults increasingly prefer natural dentifrices; however, the short-term clinical effects and behavioural correlates of these products remain insufficiently documented. This study aimed to evaluate the associations between daily oral-hygiene practices, adjunctive cleaning methods, and plaque and gingival indices, and to compare the short-term effects of three natural toothpaste formulations—sodium bicarbonate, activated charcoal, and lemon-based. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 101 Romanian adults (aged 20–41 years; 69.3% urban) completed a structured questionnaire assessing brushing frequency and the use of dental floss, interdental stimulators, and mouth rinses. Clinical assessments included the Silness–Löe Plaque Index and the Löe–Silness Gingival Index (modified by Lobene), recorded immediately before and after a supervised 2 min brushing session using the Bass technique with soft-bristled brushes and the participant’s self-reported natural toothpaste (baking soda: n = 42; charcoal: n = 27; lemon: n = 32). Results: Before brushing, 78.2% of participants presented with thin adherent plaque, while the gingival status was normal in 72.3%, mildly inflamed in 22.8%, and moderately inflamed in 5.0%. After brushing, the proportion with normal gingiva increased to 77.2%, and the proportion of thin, adherent plaque decreased to 22.8%. Brushing frequency was positively correlated with plaque reduction (ρ = 0.42, p < 0.001), while the use of adjunctive cleaning methods was inversely correlated with post-brushing gingival inflammation (ρ = −0.36, p = 0.002). Gingival improvement differed significantly among toothpaste types (χ², p < 0.001), with formulations containing baking soda and lemon showing slightly more favourable short-term gingival categories than charcoal; these patterns are descriptive and do not demonstrate comparative product efficacy. Urban–rural differences were observed for brushing frequency (p < 0.001) and periodontal status with fewer lesions among urban participants (p = 0.002). Conclusions: A single supervised Bass-technique brushing session resulted in measurable short-term improvements in plaque and gingival indices among young adults. Sodium bicarbonate and lemon-based dentifrices appeared to be associated with slightly more favourable short-term gingival responses than charcoal, although these findings should be interpreted as preliminary. These findings emphasise the importance of consistent brushing and interdental cleaning behaviours and highlight the need for longitudinal randomised trials to evaluate the durability, safety, and comparative effectiveness of natural versus conventional dentifrices. Given the cross-sectional, single-session design, these findings are exploratory and do not establish causal or comparative product efficacy.

Background/Objectives: Oral health in children remains a key public health concern, particularly in regions with limited access to preventive programs. Despite improvements in dental care availability, the prevalence of plaque accumulation, gingival inflammation, and carious lesions remains high. This study provides updated regional data for Western Romania—a population previously underrepresented in oral health surveillance—and aims to evaluate oral hygiene behaviors, dietary habits, and clinical oral health indicators among Romanian schoolchildren, identifying potential areas for preventive action. Methods: An observational cross-sectional study was conducted in October 2025 on 202 schoolchildren aged 5–14 years from Western Romania. Data were collected through a structured questionnaire assessing socio-demographic characteristics, oral hygiene practices, and dietary behaviors, followed by a standardized intraoral examination. Plaque Index (PI) and Gingival Index (GI) were recorded, and statistical analysis was performed using chi-square tests (p < 0.05). Results: Most participants (83.7%) reported brushing their teeth at least twice daily, whereas only 24.8% used dental floss and 13.4% used interdental aids. The prevalence of carious lesions or restorations was 66.8%, visible plaque was 69.8%, and gingival inflammation was 50.0%. A significant positive correlation was observed between PI and GI (r = 0.58, p < 0.001). Children aged 5–7 years exhibited the highest rate of active carious lesions (71.2%, p = 0.014). Conclusions: Although brushing frequency among Romanian schoolchildren was generally satisfactory, inadequate interdental hygiene and suboptimal plaque control were common. School-based preventive programs emphasizing proper brushing technique, dietary counseling, and early education may contribute to improved oral health outcomes in this population.

Background: Bruxism is a common parafunctional activity involving repetitive jaw muscle movements during wakefulness (awake bruxism) or sleep (sleep bruxism). While its multifactorial etiology is widely accepted, the roles of occlusal interferences, temporomandibular joint (TMJ) dysfunction, stress, and sleep-related breathing disturbances remain under investigation. Objectives: This cross-sectional study evaluated associations between bruxism and occlusal discrepancies, TMJ symptoms, stress, and sleep-related variables (snoring and obstructive sleep apnea, OSA) in Romanian adults. Methods: Ninety-eight adults (mean age: 30.4 ± 8.9 years) completed a structured questionnaire reviewed for content validity and pilot-tested for clarity but not formally validated. Participants were categorized into bruxism (n = 51) and control (n = 47) groups. Variables assessed included bruxism type, TMJ symptoms, occlusal interferences, stress, snoring, OSA, and parafunctional habits. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were conducted. Results: Sleep bruxism was predominant (88%), with 59% classified as sleep-only bruxers. Occlusal discrepancies (46% vs. 14%, p < 0.001), TMJ symptoms (joint pain: 38% vs. 8%; fatigue: 44% vs. 10%), and habitual snoring (60% vs. 22%, p < 0.001) were significantly more common among bruxers. No significant difference was observed in OSA prevalence. Independent predictors of bruxism included occlusal interferences (adjusted OR = 4.7, p = 0.009), TMJ symptoms (adjusted OR = 6.5, p = 0.002), and habitual snoring (adjusted OR = 4.1, p = 0.016). Conclusions: Bruxism was significantly associated with occlusal interferences, TMJ dysfunction, and habitual snoring, supporting the need for multifactorial assessment and integrated clinical management. Limitations: This study relied on self-reported bruxism classification and a non-validated questionnaire instrument, which may limit generalizability and diagnostic accuracy.

Palatal abscesses of endodontic origin are rarer than buccal ones due to maxillary anatomy. Their clinical appearance may resemble that of other palatal illnesses, complicating diagnosis and treatment. Prevention of problems requires early detection and endodontic treatment. A 26-year-old female patient presented with a 2 cm diameter palatal abscess, significant pulsatile discomfort, fever, and enlargement of the anterior hard palate. Clinical examination showed grade 1 mobility of the central and lateral incisors, percussion discomfort, and negative pulp vitality in the case of the lateral incisor. Cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) showed two radiolucent lesions: a posterior cystic lesion near the first molar and an anterior lesion near the upper left lateral incisor. Palatal cortical bone puncture and soft tissue extension indicated the abscess origin. According to the clinical and imaging evaluation, the upper left lateral incisor had a persistent periapical lesion of endodontic origin that a palatal abscess with cortical bone perforation had exacerbated.

Background: Despite mechanical hygiene, plaque-related illnesses like gingivitis and periodontitis affect over 3.5 billion people globally. Natural mouthwashes are becoming increasingly popular as consumers shift toward plant-based alternatives to chlorhexidine, which may have drawbacks that limit long-term acceptability. This study aimed to evaluate the short-term clinical potential of three herbal mouthwashes—Matricaria chamomilla (chamomile), Salvia officinalis (sage), and Zingiber officinale (ginger)—in reducing dental plaque and clinical signs of gingival inflammation in young adults. (2) Materials and Methods. A randomised controlled clinical trial was conducted on 175 systemically healthy participants, allocated equally into five groups (three herbal groups, placebo, and chlorhexidine). Each herbal group used a 2% aqueous infusion three times daily for twelve weeks. The 2% aqueous infusion concentration was selected based on commonly reported concentrations in previous phytotherapeutic and clinical studies evaluating herbal mouthwashes, balancing potential efficacy with safety and tolerability. The plant materials were sourced from certified suppliers, and standardized dried plant parts were used under controlled preparation conditions. Clinical assessments were performed at baseline (T0), week 1 (T1), week 5 (T2), and week 9 (T3), corresponding to the beginning of each evaluation interval within the 12-week study, using the Silness–Löe Plaque Index and the modified Löe–Silness Gingival Index. Data were analyzed using repeated-measures ANOVA with Bonferroni post hoc correction. (3) Results. Repeated-measures ANOVA revealed a significant main effect of time for both plaque accumulation and gingival index scores. For the Silness–Löe Plaque Index, a marked time-dependent reduction was observed across the active treatment groups (p < 0.001; η²_p = 0.56), with a significant time × group interaction (p < 0.001; η²_p = 0.49). Similarly, the modified Löe–Silness Gingival Index showed a significant reduction over time (p < 0.001; η²_p = 0.22), with a significant interaction effect between time and mouthwash type (p < 0.001; η²_p = 0.17). No statistically significant differences were found among the three herbal mouthwashes in post hoc Bonferroni comparisons (all p > 0.05), whereas all active treatments showed significantly better outcomes compared with the placebo. (4) Discussion. All three rinses showed similar clinical effects on plaque and gingival scores. However, without mechanistic assays, no claims can be made about comparable antibacterial or anti-inflammatory activity. Compared with conventional antiseptics such as chlorhexidine, herbal rinses offer important advantages in terms of biocompatibility, safety, and tolerability, with no staining, taste alteration, or mucosal irritation reported. At T3, the correlation between plaque and gingival indices was weak (Spearman’s ρ = 0.18, p = 0.09), suggesting limited linear association; this finding should be interpreted cautiously, as the low end-range values and limited variability of both indices at this time point may have masked a true association. This exploratory observation raises, but does not confirm, the possibility that factors other than plaque reduction may contribute to gingival improvement. (5) Conclusions. Significant reductions in dental plaque and clinical signs of gingival inflammation were observed following regular use of chamomile, sage, and ginger mouthwashes for twelve weeks. All herbal formulations exhibit similar clinical results. Longer-term controlled trials incorporating microbiological and phytochemical analyses are recommended to validate these findings further.