Antibacterial and Antifungal Capacity of Three Commercially Available Mouthwashes with Different Concentrations of Chlorhexidine

• Published in: Odovtos Vol. 24; no. 2; pp. 380 - 391
• Main Authors: Ramirez, Karol, Chavarria-Bolaños, Daniel, Esparza Villalpando, Vicente
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English; Portuguese
• Published: San Jose Universidad de Costa Rica, Facultad de Odontologia 01.05.2022; Facultad de Odontología. Universidad de Costa Rica
• Subjects: Antibacterial effect; Antibiotics; Antifungal activity; Bacteria; Biofilms; Candida albicans; Chlorhexidina; Chlorhexidine; Dental plaque; Dentistry; dose concentration mouthwash; Efecto antibacteriano; Enjuague bucal de baja concentración; Enjuagues bucales; Enterococcus faecalis; Escherichia coli; Fluorides; Gum disease; Halitosis; Hygiene; Inflammation; Low; Maxillofacial surgery; Medicine, Research & Experimental; Mouthwashes; Oral hygiene; Orthodontics; Staphylococcus aureus; Statistical analysis; Low-dose concentration mouthwash; Mouthwashes; Antibacterial effect; Chlorhexidine; Enjuagues bucales; Enjuague bucal de baja concentración; Efecto antibacteriano; Chlorhexidina
• ISSN: 1659-1046; 2215-3411; 2215-3411
• DOI: 10.15517/ijds.2021.48079

Chlorhexidine was introduced almost seven decades ago and has a myriad of applications in dentistry. Few studies have evaluated the antimicrobial and antifungal capacity of different concentrations of chlorhexidine mouthwashes. Therefore, the aim of this study, was to evaluate in vitro, the antibacterial and antifungal capacity of three commercially available mouthwashes in Costa Rica, with different concentrations of chlorhexidine, 0.12%, 0.06%, and 0.03%. The experimental method selected was the Kirby-Bauer method to evaluate the antibacterial and antifungal effect of each compound by measuring the inhibitory effect on Staphylococcus aureus, Enterococcus faecalis, Escherichia coli, and Candida albicans strains, exposed to the antiseptic solutions. All samples showed some degree of antibacterial and antifungal effect. Even though we provide in vitro results, our findings are of relevance since all the species used in our experiment are microorganisms that may be present in dental plaque. Our results further support evidence that oral hygiene regimens may include mouthwashes with low doses of chlorhexidine and maintain reasonable antibacterial and antifungal efficacy.