Candida inhibitory effects of six commercial mouthwashes

Abstract

The Candida inhibitory activities of commercial mouthwashes with various active ingredients - fluoride (FLO), cethylpyridinium chloride (CPC), chlorhexidine gluconate (CHX), triclosan (TRI) and herbal extracts: Twin Lotus (TLO) and Herbric concentrated (HBC) - were determined. The Candida activities included growth, germ tube formation and adhesion of Candida albicans to human buccal mucosa. This study showed that TRI, TLO and CHX mouthwashes had growth inhibitory effects to C. albicans with the MIC of 1/64, 1/64 and 1/32, respectively. CHX, TRI, TLO, HBC and CPC mouthwashes had ability to inhibit adhesion of C. albicans ATCC 10231 by approximately 85, 80, 70, 65 and 55%, respectively. Germ tube formation, or mycelial conversion, of C. albicans was inhibited by approximately 90, 85 and 80% after treatment with 20% mouthwashes containing CHX, TRI and CPC, respectively. Fluoride mouthwash showed the weakest in all inhibitory activities. These results suggested that CHX and triclosan mouthwashes were effective in reducing oral Candida activities.