A comparative in vivo study of antimicrobial activity of six commercial mouthwashes against salivary bacteria

Abstract

Introduction: Mouthwashes solutions can play an important role in the chemical control of dental biofilm. However, quality control procedures related to antimicrobial activity of these solutions against oral bacteria are not well known. Objective: To evaluate in vivo antimicrobial activity of six mouthwashes solutions available in the Brazilian market against anaerobic salivary bacteria. Material and methods: An in vivo study was developed in human volunteers (8 male and 7 female, ranging from 18 to 63 years old), despite their oral health status. The following commercial products were tested after 2 hours of a single mouthwash procedure: 1) Plax®, 2) Listerine®, 3) Periogard®, 4) Cepacol®, 5) Sanifill Premium® and 6)Oral B®. Data were analyzed by ANOVA to repeated measures and ANOVA one-way with a significance level of 5%. Results: Statistically significant difference (p<0.05) was observed in the decrease of microbial counts to Plax® between baseline (before mouthwash) and immediately after mouthwash (T0); to Periogard® between baseline and T60 (60 minutes after mouthwash), baseline and T120 (120 minutes after mouthwash) and to Oral B® between baseline and T-30 (30 minutes after mouthwash). Periogard® showed the highest and delayed reduction of salivary microbial counts. Conclusion: Out of six tested mouthwashes, Plax®, Oral B® and Periogard ® showed immediate antibacterial activity. Periogard® was the oral anti-septic that showed the best delayed activity against salivary anaerobic bacteria.