The effect of pomegranate mouthrinse on Streptococcus mutans count and salivary pH: An in vivo study

Abstract

Herbal mouthwashes have been considered to be a more advantageous option to their chemical counterparts, for a long-time. The use of pomegranate fruit dates from ancient times and reports of its therapeutic abilities have echoed throughout the ages. To evaluate the effect on the salivary pH and the Streptococcus mutans count in healthy subjects before and after pomegranate mouthrinse. Fifty healthy patients were randomly divided into two groups of 25 subjects each. Group A was treated with 0.2% chlorhexidine mouthrinse; while Group B was treated with pomegranate peel extract (PPE) mouthrinse and the saliva samples were collected at three different intervals: Prerinse, after 10 min, and 60 min. The salivary pH was measured using a digital pH meter and the S. mutans count was determined by the commercial system Dentocult SM. The statistical analyses used in this study are Mann–Whitney U-test and t-test. PPE mouthrinse had an inhibitory effect on S. mutans count in adults. There was also an increase in the salivary pH after 10 min of the mouthrinse. PPE mouthrinse may be considered as a potential anticariogenic mouthrinse.

Comparison of the Efficacy of a Natural Extract Mouthwash with Chlorhexidine on Gingivitis

“…A comparison of the salivary pH changes after 10 min rinse showed an increase in the pH of the saliva sample after pomegranate peels extract mouth rinse as compared to chlorhexidine . This was in agreement with Ahuja et al (2011), Umar et al (2016) and Kadam et al (2019) who concluded that pomegranate herbal mouth rinse when compared with 0.2% chlorhexidine mouthwash increased the salivary pH within a short-time interval of mouth rinse. Hence, proving pomegranate mouthwash is favorable in improving gingival status .…”

“…Various studies (Battino et al, 1999;Chidambara et al, 2002;Seeram et al, 2005;Menezes et al, 2006;Lansky & Newman, 2007;DiSilvestro & DiSilvestro, 2009;Kiany et al, 2016;Umar et al, 2016;Deepak & Samuel, 2018;Pedersen et al, 2019) have shown that pomegranate contains agents, especially polyphenolic flavonoids like punicalagins and ellagic acid that result in reduction of oxidative stress in oral cavity, direct anti-oxidant activity, antibacterial activity, and direct removal of plaque from the teeth by discouraging the action of the microorganisms that initiate plaque formation. Moreover, inhibiting prostaglandin and leukotriene formation through inhibition of the eicosanoids enzymes, cyclooxygenase and lipoxygenase, raises the possibility of the use of pomegranate derivatives in anti-inflammatory preparations (Kiany et al, 2016).…”

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“…These inhibit the formation of tartar by obstructing the activity of microorganism that cause them. 9 The tannins present in the pomegranate can cross the cell wall and form complexes of higher molecular weight to disrupt the polyglycans synthesis need for adherence to tooth structure and also increase the bacterial lysis 10 .…”

“…Pomegranate (Punica granatum) is a shrub of the family Lythraceae. The polyphenols present in them bind and form compounds which provide anti-infective effects 9,10 .…”

Punica Granatum L - A nutraceutical functional food

“…The herbal mouth rinse also increased the salivary pH significantly within a short-time interval of 10 min after the mouth rinse; thereby proving its potential as an anti-cariogenic agent. [29]…”