Efficacy of Herbal Fluoride Toothpaste in Preventing Early Childhood Caries.

Background: Early childhood caries (ECC) is a prevalent dental condition affecting children younger than 6 years. Conventional fluoride toothpastes are effective but raise concerns regarding fluorosis and ingestion in young children. Herbal fluoride toothpastes offer a natural alternative with added antimicrobial benefits. Methods: A randomized controlled trial was conducted among 120 children aged 3-5 years, divided into two groups: Group A used herbal fluoride toothpaste containing neem, clove, and 500 ppm fluoride; Group B used a nonherbal fluoride toothpaste with 500 ppm fluoride. Caries status was assessed at baseline, 6 months, and 12 months using the dmft index. Statistical analysis included paired t-tests and repeated-measures ANOVA (P < 0.05 considered significant). Results: At baseline, mean dmft scores were comparable between groups (Group A: 2.35 ± 1.20; Group B: 2.42 ± 1.18; P = 0.64). After 12 months, Group A showed a significantly lower mean increase in dmft (0.42 ± 0.87) compared with Group B (0.95 ± 1.02; P = 0.02). The incidence of new carious lesions was also lower in Group A (16.6%) vs. Group B (28.3%). Conclusion: Herbal fluoride toothpaste demonstrated greater efficacy in preventing ECC than conventional fluoride toothpaste, suggesting its potential as a safe and effective alternative in pediatric oral care.