Antimicrobial potential of essential oils mouthrinses with and without alcohol

Matheus Grunevald,Francisco Wilker Mustafa Gomes Muniz,Tiago Luis Herpich,Thais De Cássia Negrini,Eduardo Liberato Da Silva,Harry Juan Rivera Oballe,Rômulo Cantarelli,Rodrigo Alex Arthur

doi:10.20396/bjos.v20i00.8663867

Abstract

Aim: This study aimed to compare the microbiological potential and gustatory perception of essential oils (EO) mouthrinses containing and not containing alcohol. Methods: Twenty healthy adult volunteers rinsed with 10mL of the following test solutions: EO with alcohol, EO without alcohol, or a control solution (saline solution with mint essence). A washout period of at least seven days was adopted after a single-use protocol of the respective solution. All participants used all three tested substances. Antimicrobial potential was assessed by counting salivary total viable bacteria both before and after each rinse. Gustatory perception was evaluated using the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS). Multiple comparisons were performed with the Wilcoxon test, using Bonferroni correction. Results: Both EO solutions presented a higher antimicrobial potential in comparison to the control solution (p<0.017). However, no significant difference in antimicrobial potential was observed between EO containing or not containing alcohol (p=0.218). VAS of EO with alcohol (median: 2.7) was similar to control solution (median: 1.6) (p=0.287). A better gustatory perception was observed of the EO without alcohol (median 7.6) when compared to the control solution (p<0.0001). When EO groups were compared, EO without alcohol also demonstrated a significantly better gustatory perception (p=0.001). Conclusion: Mouthrinse containing EO without alcohol presented a better taste perception when compared to the EO with alcohol, but no difference was observed in the antimicrobial potential of both EO solutions after a single rinse protocol.

Highlights

The control of supragingival biofilm is essential for preventing the development of several oral diseases, including gingivitis, periodontitis, and caries
Several antimicrobial substances are available on the general market, among which essential oils (EO) present the most favorable results for gingivitis and dental plaque control in the long term
It was observed that both solutions presented a significantly higher antimicrobial potential when compared to a negative control solution

Summary

Introduction

The control of supragingival biofilm is essential for preventing the development of several oral diseases, including gingivitis, periodontitis, and caries. The most common strategy is the mechanical removal of biofilm with toothbrushes[1]. Patients with motor or cognitive problems, lack of motivation, those undergoing post-surgical phases, and those with orthodontic devices may require the use of antimicrobial-containing mouthrinses in order to achieve effective biofilm control[2,3]. Several antimicrobial substances are available on the general market, among which essential oils (EO) present the most favorable results for gingivitis and dental plaque control in the long term. The literature constantly demonstrates better results using EO mouthrinse as an adjunct to the mechanical control of biofilm when compared to other oral hygiene regimens[4,5]. One study showed that EO presented 36.1% and 24.1% higher antiplaque and antigingivitis effects, respectively, when compared to a placebo solution[5]

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