Formulation and evaluation of green tea antibacterial mouthwash effect on the aerobic mouth bacterial load

ABSTRACT

Green tea [Camellia sinensis, Teacea family] contains antioxidant and antimicrobial agents,and has a protective effect on the health of teeth. The aim of this study was to make a stable formulation of green tea aqueous extract and to verify its antimicrobial effects on the oral aerobic bacterial load. A total of 25 female volunteer students whithin the age range of 20 through 25 years were evaluated by using 0.2, 0.5 and 1% plant tannin aqueous solution on their aerobic bacteria streptococcus mutan species and the kinds of staphylococcus living in mouth. In order to evaluate the specific role of alcohol, a green tea mouthwash containing 1% tannin plus 10% alcohol was compared with a same alcohol-free formulation. Also in a separate test, a comparative study was performed between the above alcoholic green tea mouthwash and the commercial chlorhexidine 0.2%. The aqueous extract containing 1% tannin was more effective than other concentrations [P<0.05]. There was no significant difference between any of the formulations of green tea mouthwashes whether or not alcohol was incorporated [P>0.05]. Also, no difference was observed between the herbal and chlorhexidine 0.2% mouthwashes in terms of their antibacterial activities on the aerobic mouth bacterial load. The results of this study suggest that tannin 1% aqueous green tea extract is as effective as chlorhexidine 0.2% mouthwash in reducing oral aerobic bacteria. The use of this herbal mouthwash may also be safer, especially in children and pregnant women