DOI: 10.4103/jiaphd.jiaphd_99_26 ISSN: 2319-5932

Association of Traditional Murraya koenigii Stalk Use with Oral Hygiene and Gingival Health among Rural Adults in Salem District, Tamil Nadu: A Community-based Comparative Study with 3-month Follow-up

V Ramesh, N Pradeep, L Raghavendra, Aradhya Sharma
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Abstract

Context:

Traditional plant-based tooth-cleaning practices remain common in rural India, but community-based clinical evidence on Murraya koenigii stalk use is limited.

Aims:

This study aims to assess the association of traditional M. koenigii stalk use with plaque scores, gingival scores, and bleeding on probing (BOP) among rural adults in Salem district, Tamil Nadu.

Settings and Design:

Community-based comparative observational study with 3-month follow-up.

Subjects and Methods:

Adults from four villages were classified as regular users or nonusers according to habitual oral hygiene practice. At baseline, 340 participants were examined (169 users, 171 nonusers), and 312 were reassessed after 3 months (155 users, 157 nonusers). Plaque Index, Gingival Index, and BOP percentage were recorded using standard methods.

Results:

Users showed lower Plaque Index, Gingival Index, and BOP percentage than nonusers at baseline and follow-up (all P < 0.001). Within-group improvement occurred in both groups, but reductions were greater among users.

Conclusions:

Regular M. koenigii stalk use was associated with better oral hygiene and gingival health. This traditional practice merits further analytical and interventional investigation.

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