Oral health is important since the mouth is the gateway to the human body. Bacteria are always present in the oral cavity and when not frequently removed the dental plaque biofilm leads to the development of oral disease.

Over the past decades, the use of mouthwashes has become customary, usually following mechanical plaque biofilm control.

Although people in industrialized countries use various oral hygiene products with the expectation of an oral health benefit, it is important that sufficient scientific evidence exists to support such claims.

This meta-review summarized and appraised the current state of evidence that was based on systematic reviews, with respect to the efficacy of various active ingredients of over-the-counter chemotherapeutic mouthwash formulations for plaque control and managing gingivitis.

Evidence suggests that a mouthwash containing chlorhexidine (CHX) is the first choice. The most reliable alternative for plaque control is essential oil (EO). No difference between CHX and EO with respect to gingivitis was observed.