Rafi Shaik, Sharath Pocha Reddy, Sameeulla Shaik, Sarah Emerald Sheela Nemalladinne,Dandu Sivasai Prasad Reddy, Kotu Nagavenkata Sai Praveen
BACKGROUND
Use of mouthwash has become widespread as a part of routine oral hygiene. Mouthwashes may have deleterious effects on oral tissues because of its low pH, high acid content and use of ethanol as an antiseptic agent.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
A cross-sectional experimental study was conducted among 48 undergraduate dental students. Eight commercially available alcohol-containing mouthwashes, which are available in Indian market were selected for which the pH, total acid and ethanol content was estimated. 48 subjects were randomly divided into 8 groups. Unstimulated salivary samples were collected before rinsing, then subjects were asked to rinse with 10 mL mouthwash for 60 seconds and salivary samples were collected immediately after rinsing. Salivary pH before and after rinsing was estimated using digital pH meter.
RESULTS
Listerine original mouthwash was found to have lowest pH (3.84) and highest acid content (26.8%). High alcohol content was seen in Listerine fresh burst mouthwash (26%). Mean salivary pH before and after rinsing showed a significant difference among all the groups with highest mean salivary pH difference for Listerine fresh burst mouthwash (1.21). Post-hoc Turkey’s analysis to compare the change in mean salivary pH between study groups showed a significant difference between Listerine original, Listerine fresh burst and Listerine cool mint mouthwash with other mouthwashes.
CONCLUSION
There was a significant reduction in salivary pH after rinsing with low pH, high acid and high alcohol-containing mouthwashes.
