BARI, Italy: An increasing number of products are appearing on the market aimed at replacing toothpastes and mouthrinses containing synthetic constituents with less-processed alternatives. One of these ingredients in alternative oral care products is curcumin, and researchers in Italy have recently conducted a systematic review of studies investigating whether it is able to provide the same control of plaque and gingivitis. They determined that, not only did the curcumin-based products result in fewer side effects, but the results were similar to that of 0.2% chlorhexidine and had the added benefit of nearly no toxicity.