Advances in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery (Apr 2022)

Comparison of the effect of saline mouthwash versus chlorhexidine on oral flora

  • Gimel Stephane Junior Nokam Kamdem,
  • Michel Toukam,
  • David Bienvenue Ntep Ntep,
  • Karl Guy Gregoire Kwedi,
  • Ngokwe Zilefac Brian,
  • Stive Tamo Fokam,
  • Charles Bengondo Messanga

Journal volume & issue
Vol. 6
p. 100273

Abstract

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Mouthwash is the process of soaking the teeth, gums and mucosa of the mouth with a solution. Its purpose is to improve oral hygiene and to treat certain oral pathologies. The objective of this research was to evaluate the in vitro effect of a salt water mouthwash versus chlorhexidine on oral flora.We conducted a cross-over clinical trial in the Bacteriology Department of the Central Laboratory of the Yaoundé General Hospital (YGH). This study lasted 6 months, from November 2019 to April 2020. We used convenience sampling. Each participant in our study received the same intervention (mouthwash) at a specific time and the effect was observed at regular intervals (H1 – H5). A period of 3 days (wash-out period) was observed between the interventions (mouthwashes with different saline solutions and 0.1% Chlorhexidine) in order to avoid carry-over effects. Gram staining was performed before the mouthwashes and 7 h after the mouthwashes to determine the bacterial species affected by the mouthwashes.We recruited 10 participants from whom we took 240 saliva samples. The sex ratio of men to women was 1:1. Our results showed that 2 min after mouthwash all solutions decreased the oral flora. The homemade saline (2%) had an antibacterial effect on the oral flora that lasted for 3 h. However, as sampling continued only the 5.8%, 23% and 0.1% Chlorhexidine concentrations reduced the oral flora significantly. The 5.8% salt concentration and the 0.1% Chlorhexidine had an antibacterial action of 5 h while the 23% salt concentration had an action of 7 h. Furthermore, we noted a more marked activity on gram positive bacteria.The 5.8% saline has the same efficacy as the commonly prescribed 0.1% Chlorhexidine. Homemade saline can be prescribed for short term indications as it has an antibacterial action that lasts for 3 h. The 23% saline should be avoided because of its pungent and irritating taste.

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