Effect of Saline Mouthwash on the Oral Flora Volume 5 - Issue 2

Nokam Kamdem* Gimel Stephane Junior, Zilefac Brian Ngokwe, Ntep Ntep David Bienvenue, Kwedi Karl Guy Gregoire, Kouamo Tchiekou Audrey Mariette, Elage Epie Macbrain, Toukam Michel

• Department of Dentistry, University of Yaounde, Cameroon

Received: January 20, 2022   Published: January 28, 2022

Corresponding author: Nokam Kamdem, Department of Dentistry, University of Yaounde, Cameroon

DOI: 10.32474/MADOHC.2022.05.000207

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Abstract

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 aim of this work is to evaluate the in vitro effect of salt water mouthwashes on oral flora. We conducted a cross-over clinical trial in the Bacteriology Department of the Central Laboratory of the Yaounde General Hospital. This study lasted 6 months, from November 2019 to April 2020. During the course of this work, we carried out 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: 0.9%; 2%; 5.8% and 23%) in order to avoid carry-over effects. Gram staining was performed before the mouthwashes and 7 hours 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 was 1:1. Our results showed that 2 minutes after mouthwash all solutions decreased the oral flora (e.g., 5.8% saline reduced the initial flora by half). The activity of the 0.9% saline was limited to this interval, while the homemade saline (2%) had an antibacterial effect on the oral flora that lasted for 3 hours. However, as the sampling continued only the 5.8% and 23% concentrations reduced the oral flora significantly. The 5.8% salt concentration had an antibacterial action of 5 hours while the 23% salt concentration had an action of 7 hours. Furthermore, we noted a more marked activity on gram positive bacteria. The 5.8% saline has a long-lasting efficacy and is better tolerated by the participants. The homemade saline can be prescribed for short term indications as it has an antibacterial action that lasts for 3 hours. The 23% saline should be avoided because of its pungent and irritating taste.

Keywords: Mouthwash; Saline Solution; In Vitro Study; Oral Flora

Summary| Introduction| Methodology| Data analysis| Results| Discussion| General Characteristics of the Population| Effects of Mouthwash on Oral Flora| Bacterial modification after mouthwash| Conclusion| References|