Evaluation of the effects of different teething gel and herbal oils used in the teething period on the cytoxicity and wound healing on human gingival fibroblasts

Objective: The aim of our study is to evaluate the cytotoxic effect of different teething gels and herbal oils used in the teething period on human gingival fibroblast cells and the effect on the in vitro wound model. Material and method: The cytotoxic effect of the preparations used in our study on HGF-1 was evaluated with the MTT test and LD50 values were calculated. Then, an in vitro wound model was created and the LD50 concentration of the preparations was applied to the microplates. Images of the in vitro wound model area before, at the 24th and 48th hours after the application of the preparations were taken over the microscope and the wound areas were calculated with the Image J (National Institutes of Health, New York, U.S.A) software program. In the statistical evaluation of the findings obtained in the study, the IBM SPSS statistical package software program (Statistical Package for Social Science, Version 26, IBM SPSS®, Chicago, U.S.A) was used. Results: As a result of the cytotoxicity test performed on human gingival fibroblasts, it was found that the preparation with the highest cytotoxic effect was tea tree oil, and the preparation with the least cytotoxic effect was Jack N' Jill® teething gel. As a result of the in vitro wound model test, the preparation with the highest numerical wound healing percentage at the 24th hour was tea tree oil, while at the 48th hour Aftadur® teething gel was found. The preparation with the lowest numerical wound healing percentage was found to be Calgel® teething gel at both the 24th hour and the 48th hour. (p>0.05) Wound healing percentage of any of the preparations used in our study was not statistically significantly higher than the control group. (p>0.05) Conclusion: It has been found that the preparations used in the eruption period have cytotoxic effects on human gingival fibroblasts at various rates and these products do not have a significant positive effect on wound healing. It is very important to raise awareness of healthcare professionals about these preparations and to guide parents in this regard, in order to prevent the unconscious use of these products, which can be accessed without a prescription.