An investigation of the effect of an essential oil mouthrinse on induced bacteraemia: a pilot study.
OBJECTIVE
This pilot study was designed to assess the effect of an essential oil antiseptic mouthrinse (EOM) in reducing bloodstream bacteria after chewing an apple.


METHODS
From a panel of 200, we screened 62 individuals with mild-to-moderate gingivitis. Twenty-two individuals who showed a bacteraemia after chewing an apple were enrolled. Subjects were recalled, instructed to chew an apple, had blood drawn (first baseline), and were randomly assigned EOM or a control (C) treatment for 2 weeks. Subjects were recalled, given an apple, and had blood taken for bacterial counts. Following a 1-week fluoride dentifrice wash-out, subjects were recalled, given the apple challenge, had blood drawn (second baseline), assigned the alternate treatment, and recalled for testing. Differences between baseline and 2-week post-treatment (EOM versus C) in blood-borne bacteria were assessed by analysis of covariance.


RESULTS
Mean aerobic blood-borne bacteria decreased by 68.5% (17.7 viable counts from baseline; p<0.001), while anaerobic counts decreased by 70.7% (14.5 mean viable counts from baseline; p<0.001) for the EOM treatment. No reduction was seen for the C treatment.


CONCLUSIONS
This double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized, 2-week cross-over study showed that rinsing with essential oils reduced the level of bloodstream bacteria in subjects with mild-to-moderate gingivitis.
Fine
Daniel H
DH
Department of Oral Biology, University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, New Jersey Dental School, Newark, NJ 07103, USA. finedh@umdnj.edu
Furgang
David
D
McKiernan
Marie
M
Tereski-Bischio
Debra
D
Ricci-Nittel
Danette
D
Zhang
Paul
P
Araujo
Marcelo W B
MW
D000328:Adult; D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016470:Bacteremia / Q000382:microbiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D001420:Bacteria, Aerobic / Q000302:isolation & purification; D001421:Bacteria, Anaerobic / Q000302:isolation & purification; D058491:Bacterial Load; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D003774:Dental Plaque Index; D004198:Disease Susceptibility; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004338:Drug Combinations; D005260:Female; D005891:Gingivitis / Q000382:microbiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D027845:Malus; D008409:Mastication / Q000502:physiology; D050296:Microbial Viability; D009067:Mouthwashes / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D009822:Oils, Volatile / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D010512:Periodontal Index; D010865:Pilot Projects; D010919:Placebos; D012459:Salicylates / Q000627:therapeutic use; D013729:Terpenes / Q000627:therapeutic use
D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local; D004338:Drug Combinations; D009067:Mouthwashes; D009822:Oils, Volatile; D010919:Placebos; D012459:Salicylates; D013729:Terpenes; C057473:Listerine