Is ginger (Zingiber officinale) mouthwash a convenient therapeutic for denture stomatitis?

Introduction: Denture stomatitis is the most common type of chronic oral candidiasis. Ginger (Zingiber officinale) is an herbal plant with profound antioxidant, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and antifungal effects with possible effects on Candida albicans. In this study, we aimed at comparing the efficacy of ginger and nystatin mouthwashes on denture stomatitis. Materials and Methods: In this randomized clinical trial, 30 patients with type II denture stomatitis were randomly assigned into two groups. Group 1 received ginger mouthwash (20 ml, 3 times a day for 20 days), while group 2 used nystatin mouthwash (500000 IU, 3 times a day for 20 days). The patients were visited on days 5, 10, 15, 20. In each follow-up visit, the length and width of erythema were measured using a digital caliper. Patients' satisfaction with the treatment was evaluated at the end of the study. Results: During a 20-day treatment period, both treatments significantly reduced the width and length of the erythema (P