Abstract
Aim. The aim of the study was to compare the antimicrobial effectiveness of 2 herbal mouthrinses, Listerine and Peridex (0.12% chlorhexidine gluconate) as determined by the Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) against predominant oral bacteria in vitro.
Material and Methods. S. An agar dilution method was employed to assess the inhibitory effect of the test agents against 40 oral bacteria. Serial dilutions of the 4 test mouthrinses [The Natural Dentist Healthy Gums Oral Rinse, The Natural Dentist Healthy Gums Oral Rinse minus bloodroot (sanguinaria), Listerine and Peridex] were prepared at concentrations of 1, 2, 4, 8, 16, 32, 64, 128, 256, 512 μ g/ml. Filter-sterilized test agents were added to basal medium in petri plates and inoculated with suspensions of the test species using an MIC 2000 inoculator. Inoculated plates were incubated anaerobically at 35 degrees C and examined daily. The MIC was interpreted as the lowest concentration of the agent that completely inhibited the growth of the test species. MICs were performed in duplicate.
Results. The 2 Natural Dentist formulations effectively inhibited the growth of the majority of the 40 test species. Compared with Listerine, The Natural Dentist Healthy Gums Oral Rinses exhibited significantly lower MICs (> a 2 fold difference in MICs) for Actinomyces species, periodontal pathogens, E. nodatum, T. forsythia and Prevotella species as well as the cariogenic pathogen, S. mutans. Peridex had the lowest MICs compared with Listerine and The Natural Dentist Healthy Gums Oral Rinse for all test species examined.
Conclusion. Although less potent than Peridex, The Natural Dentist Healthy Gums Oral Rinse was a more effective antimicrobial than Listerine in inhibiting the growth of oral bacteria in vitro.
- Copyright © 2007 The American Dental Hygienists' Association
