Antimicrobial Effectiveness of Herbal and 0.2% Chlorhexidine Mouthrinse against Streptococcus mutans: An In-vitro Study

• Published in: Journal of international oral health 2016-11, Vol.8 (6), p.683
• Main Authors: Nagappan, Nagappan, John, Joseph, Gopinath, Nithin, Elango, Senthil, Pillai, Dinesh Mathevan, Mani, Muralimani
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Age; Antimicrobial agents; Chlorhexidine; Comparative analysis; Dental caries; Herbs; Methods; Microbiology; Mouth; Mouthwashes; Plant products; Prevention; Review boards; Streptococcal infections; Studies; Testing; Ulcers
• ISSN: 0976-7428; 0976-1799
• DOI: 10.2047/jioh-08-06-08

Microorganisms in the oral cavity are still considered as serious public health problems and inflict a costly burden to health care services in and around the world. Mouthrinses have been used for centuries with the objective of reducing the amount of microorganisms in the oral cavity. Mouthrinses are used as adjuncts to mechanical oral hygiene. Therapeutic mouthwashes are often recommended as an adjunct to mechanical plaque control for prevention of plaque accumulation and to maintain gingival and periodontal health. Mechanical control alone for reducing recalcitrant biofilms in the oral cavity has been challenged because it is considered to be rather time-consuming and most importantly insufficient for effective oral hygiene. The aim of this study was to evaluate the antimicrobial efficacy of herbal and 0.2% chlorhexidine gluconate mouthrinse against Streptococcus mutans. The antimicrobial effectiveness (zone of inhibition) of an herbal mouthrinse and 0.2% chlorhexidine mouthrinse was determined by agar well diffusion method. The zone of inhibition of S. mutans was 19 mm for the 0.2% chlorhexidine mouthrinse. The arowash liquid mouthrinse shows that S. mutans do not produce a zone of inhibition. Chlorhexidine mouthrinse (0.2%) has a better antimicrobial efficacy against the S. mutans when compared to herbal mouthrinse (arowash liquid).