Mouthwash Effectiveness Against Oral Bacteria

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Mouthwash Effectiveness Against Oral Bacteria

• David A. Adams
• Microbiology Undergraduate
• Tennessee Technological University
• Cookeville, TN 38505

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Introduction

• Undesirable oral odors generally come from
  proteins and peptides hydrolyzed by gram-negative
  bacteria (McDowell 1993)
• Bacteria in the mouth are primarily responsible
  for gingivitis (Journal of American Dental
  Association 1998)
• The number of viable bacteria dropped by 94
  after rinsing with antiseptic mouth rinse (Fine
  et al 1993)

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Objective

• The objective of this research was to determine
  the susceptibility of bacteria to different
  brands of mouthwash
• Hypothesis
• Rinsing with mouthwash will have no benefit over
  rinsing with water to prevent bacterial growth.

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Methods Materials

• Methods were derived from Dr. Goss 2004 Medical
  Micro lab manual
• 3 TSA plates inoculated with 3 different oral
  bacteria for 24 hours
• Three individual mouthwashes (A, B, C) tested
• Water used as control (D)
• Performed three trials took average

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Methods Materials
Legend AControl BScope CListerine
DEquate
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Results
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Results
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Discussion

• Staphylococcus was the least resistant bacteria
• Pseudomonas and Escherichia were equally
  resistant
• Better results may be obtained by testing a
  greater number of different oral bacteria

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Conclusion

• All 3 mouthwash brands inhibited bacterial growth
• The generic brand mouthwash, Equate, was the most
  effective
• More cost does not always equal better value

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Questions?