Comparative in Vitro Antibacterial Evaluation of Some Commercially Available Brands of Mouth Washes against Human Pathogenic Bacteria

Colonization of bacteria causes various diseases of oral cavity such as plaque and gingivitis. Staphylococcus and Streptococcus species are the most important pathogens causing dental caries. The present study was designed to screen the anti bacterial action of four different marketed mouth washes namely Listerine zero, Colgate plax, Signal expert protection and Aloe dent against selected human pathogenic strains Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pyogenes, Bacillus subtilis and Escherichia coli. All the brands of mouth wash demonstrated an excellent spectrum of activity against Staphylococcus aureus. In this study the antibacterial action of Listerine zero was significant when compared to Colgate plax against Staphylococcus aureus at P < 0.05 level. However, the spectrum of action of Colgate plax was extremely significant against Bacillus subtilis at P< 0.001 level when compared to rest of mouthwashes screened. The spectrum of activity varied with brands of mouth washes screened against organisms. This study demonstrated that all the brands of mouth washes revealed good anti bacterial effect. INTRODUCTION: Gargling with mouthwash is good to follow in order to maintain the oral health and thus get free from bad breath. It is very effective after brushing because during gargle it can reach the areas where the toothbrush can't reach like in between the teeth, back of throat, and on the sides of inside of the cheeks. The oral cavity may be affected by plaque and periodontal disease due to bacterial colonization 1 . Streptococcus pyogenes, Streptococcus mutans, Staphylococcus aureus are the major organisms of dental carries, plaque and periodontitis 2 . The purpose of this study was to find the efficacy of various commercially available brands of mouthwash in the Kingdom. QUICK RESPONSE CODE DOI: 10.13040/IJPSR.0975-8232.8(2).713-15 Article can be accessed online on: www.ijpsr.com DOI link: http://dx.doi.org/10.13040/IJPSR.0975-8232.8 (2).713-15 In this work, the mouth washes have been selected on random basis, among these Listerine zero and Aloe dent contains thymol and Citrus grandis seed extract respectively, the other two contains specified anti bacterial chemicals. However, all the brands of mouth wash are free from alcohol. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Collection of Materials and Properties of mouthwashes: Commercially available 4 different brands were purchased from local Pharmacy, Jazan, KSA and their colour, homogeneity and pH were noted on preliminary basis. All Chemicals used in this study was analytical grade from Sigma Aldrich, Saudi Arabia. Strains used: Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pyogenes, Bacillus subtilis and Escherichia coli were used in this study. The cultures were isolated from clinical samples obtained from Jazan Hospital, Jazan.