Validation of the anti-bacteremic efficacy of an essential oil rinse in a Brazilian population: a cross-over study

• Main Authors: José Roberto Cortelli (Author), Karina Cogo (Author), Davi Romeiro Aquino (Author), Sheila Cavalca Cortelli (Author), Danette Ricci-Nittel (Author), Paul Zhang (Author), Marcelo Werneck Barata de Araujo (Author)
• Format: Book
• Published: Sociedade Brasileira de Pesquisa Odontológica, 2012-10-01T00:00:00Z.
• Subjects: article
• Online Access: Connect to this object online.
• Notes: 1806-8324
• Keywords: Bacteremia; Gingivitis; Efficacy; Bacteria; Dentistry; RK1-715
• Source: Brazilian Oral Research, Vol 26, Iss 5, Pp 478-484 (2012)

This cross-over study was conducted to assess the germ-killing efficacy of an essential oil mouthrinse (EOM) by determining the blood levels of microorganisms associated with induced bacteremia and investigating the prevalence of this event in Brazilians with mild-to-moderate gingivitis. Thirty four (31.19%) subjects positive for bacteremia induced by chewing a ration of apple were enrolled out of 109 screened subjects (50 males and 59 females). A difference of at least 10 colony forming units between the pre- and post-insult blood samples was defined as a positive result. For the following two weeks patients underwent a toothbrush plus fluoride dentifrice normalization period, and were then scheduled for the Phase I protocol as follows. At baseline I, subjects were instructed to chew a new apple ration, had new blood samples taken before and after this oral stimulus, and were randomly assigned to an experimental essential oil (n = 17) or placebo (P) mouthrinse (n = 17) treatment for 2 weeks. These procedures were repeated at the end of Phase I and then followed by a two-week wash-out period (tooth brushing with fluoride dentifrice). Bacteremia was again induced at baseline and at the end of Phase II, when subjects were crossed-over to the other EOM or placebo groups. Bacterial count differences between baseline and 2-week post-treatment (EOM versus P) in the blood samples collected were assessed by analysis of covariance. Mean aerobic counts decreased by 45.8%, whereas mean anaerobic counts decreased by 63.3% after EOM treatment. After the P treatment, aerobic bacteria increased by 28.4% and anaerobic bacteria decreased by 18.5%. This study validated this novel methodology and showed that the germ-killing action of EOM significantly reduced bacteremia.