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Fine DH et al (2000)
EFFECT OF AN ESSENTIAL OIL—CONTAINING ANTISEPTIC MOUTHRINSE ON PLAQUE AND SALIVARY STREPTOCOCCUS MUTANS LEVELS1
Objective
To examine the effect of twice—daily rinsing with LISTERINE® Antiseptic
on levels of recoverable
S. mutans
and total streptococci in supragingival interproximal plaque and in saliva.
Methods
Twenty-nine qualifying subjects were randomly assigned either to LISTERINE®
Antiseptic or a sterile water control. Subjects rinsed under supervision twice
daily with 20 mL for 30 seconds for 11 days and once on the 12th day, in
addition to their normal oral care regimens. Subjects brushed with fluoride
toothpaste and a soft toothbrush, which were provided by the investigator,
throughout the study period. At baseline and on day 12, saliva and plaque
samples were collected and microbiological quantification of recoverable
S. mutans
and total streptococci was performed. After a 1-week washout period, the
procedures were repeated with the alternate rinse.
Results
Rinsing with LISTERINE® Antiseptic resulted in significant
reductions in both
S. mutans
and total streptococci both in interproximal plaque and in saliva. LISTERINE®
Antiseptic reduced total streptococci and
S. mutans
by 69.9% and 75.4%, respectively, in plaque, with corresponding reductions of
50.8% and 39.2% in saliva.
Conclusion
The finding that the essential oil mouthrinse used in the study reported herein
can significantly reduce the level of oral
S. mutans
provides further evidence for in situ bactericidal activity as well as an
additional rationale for its daily use as an adjunct to mechanical oral hygiene
regimens.
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REFERENCES
- Fine DH, Furgang D, Barnett ML, et al. Effect of an essential oil-containing antiseptic mouthrinse on plaque and salivary Streptococcus mutans levels. J Clin Periodontol. 2000;27:157-161.