Effect of three mouthrinses, containing amine/stannous fluoride, herbal extracts or Emser salt on the growth of oral bacteria--an in vitro study.
OBJECTIVE
Clinical studies have shown the efficacy of mouthrinses in reducing plaque accumulation and inflammation of oral tissues. The aim of this in vitro study was to compare the effect of three mouthrinses: Meridol, an organic amine/ stannous fluoride solution; Parodontax, containing herbal ingredients; and an 0.8 % Emser salt solution, on the growth of oral bacteria and dental plaque.


METHODS
Growth of Actinomyces viscosus T14V, Capnocytophaga ochracea 25, C. sputigena 4, Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans (A.a.) Y4, and pooled supragingival plaque in the presence of the various mouthrinses, applied to paper discs, was tested in an agar diffusion test. In a second series of tests, the 4 bacterial strains were exposed to the agents for about 3 min to simulate rinsing, then the agent was removed, and the bacteria were inoculated into fresh nutrient broth. After 48 h bacterial growth was measured in a spectrophotometer and compared with the controls.


RESULTS
In the agar diffusion test only Meridol, the organic amine/stannous fluoride-containing solution, could inhibit bacterial growth, except for A. a. Y4. When the bacteria where in contact with the agents for only a few minutes these results were confirmed. Neither Paradontax nor Emser salt inhibited the growth of the bacteria, and A. a. Y4 proved to be resistant to all three agents. Growth of the other three strains was inhibited by Meridol 92-99% (undiluted), 85-96% (1:5) and 83-98% (1:10).


CONCLUSIONS
We conclude that only Meridol contains ingredients capable of inhibiting the growth of oral bacteria in vitro. The efficacy of the other two mouthrinses in reducing plaque accumulation in vivo has to be explained by other mechanisms.
Kagermeier-Callaway
A S
AS
Department of Restorative Dentistry, Johannes Gutenberg University, Mainz, Germany. callaway@mail.uni-mainz.de
Bredick
J
J
Willershausen
B
B
D000190:Actinomyces / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000254:growth & development; D000362:Agar; D016976:Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans / Q000187:drug effects / Q000254:growth & development; D000588:Amines / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002206:Capnocytophaga / Q000187:drug effects / Q000254:growth & development; D003773:Dental Plaque / Q000517:prevention & control; D004338:Drug Combinations; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D008900:Mineral Waters; D009067:Mouthwashes / Q000494:pharmacology*; D009910:Oral Hygiene; D008517:Phytotherapy; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology*; D012492:Salts / Q000494:pharmacology*; D017693:Sodium Bicarbonate / Q000494:pharmacology*; D014002:Tin Fluorides / Q000494:pharmacology*
D000588:Amines; D004338:Drug Combinations; D008900:Mineral Waters; D009067:Mouthwashes; C091016:Parodontax; D010936:Plant Extracts; D012492:Salts; D014002:Tin Fluorides; C059813:Meridol; D017693:Sodium Bicarbonate; D000362:Agar