Abstract
Although the mechanism responsible for the clinical antiplaque efficacy of oral antiseptics is generally considered to be primarily one of bactericidal activity, it has been suggested that oral antiseptics may have additional effects on bacteria exposed to sublethal levels. Studies reported herein, investigated the effects of sublethal levels of an essential oil-containing antiseptic mouthrinse (Listerine Antiseptic, Warner-Lambert Co., Morris Plains, NJ) on selected activities of representative plaque microorganisms using in vitro models. These studies demonstrated that sublethal exposure to the tested oral antiseptic can have significant effects in reducing intergeneric coaggregation, increasing bacterial generation time, and extracting endotoxin from Gram-negative bacteria. These in vitro activities can be correlated with features of plaque formation and pathogenicity seen in vivo; however, additional studies will be necessary to confirm that these mechanisms are, in fact, operative clinically.
Publication types
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Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
MeSH terms
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Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans / drug effects
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Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans / growth & development
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Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans / pathogenicity
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Anti-Infective Agents, Local / administration & dosage
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Anti-Infective Agents, Local / pharmacology*
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Bacteria / drug effects*
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Bacteria / pathogenicity
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Bacterial Adhesion / drug effects
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Bacteriolysis / drug effects
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Candida albicans / drug effects
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Candida albicans / growth & development
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Candida albicans / pathogenicity
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Capnocytophaga / drug effects
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Capnocytophaga / growth & development
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Capnocytophaga / pathogenicity
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Cell Division / drug effects
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Dental Plaque / microbiology*
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Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
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Drug Combinations
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Endotoxins / antagonists & inhibitors
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Fusobacterium nucleatum / drug effects
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Fusobacterium nucleatum / growth & development
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Fusobacterium nucleatum / pathogenicity
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Gram-Negative Bacteria / drug effects
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Gram-Negative Bacteria / growth & development
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Gram-Negative Bacteria / pathogenicity
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Humans
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Mouthwashes / administration & dosage
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Mouthwashes / pharmacology*
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Oils, Volatile / administration & dosage
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Oils, Volatile / pharmacology
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Salicylates / administration & dosage
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Salicylates / pharmacology
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Streptococcus mutans / drug effects
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Streptococcus mutans / growth & development
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Streptococcus mutans / pathogenicity
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Streptococcus sanguis / drug effects
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Streptococcus sanguis / growth & development
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Streptococcus sanguis / pathogenicity
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Terpenes / administration & dosage
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Terpenes / pharmacology
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Veillonella / drug effects
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Veillonella / growth & development
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Veillonella / pathogenicity
Substances
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Anti-Infective Agents, Local
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Drug Combinations
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Endotoxins
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Mouthwashes
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Oils, Volatile
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Salicylates
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Terpenes
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Listerine