Formulation and Evaluation of Green Tea Antibacterial Mouthwash Effect on the Aerobic Mouth Bacterial Load

Backgrounds and Objective: 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. Subjects and Methods: 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 % . Results: The aqueous extract containing 1% tannin was more effective than other concentrations (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. Conclusion: 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. Sci Med J 2010; 9(4):317-330