In situ analysis of the antibacterial activity of the essential oils on the oral biofilm

Abstract

The aim of this thesis was to evaluate the in situ antibacterial activity (immediate effect and substantivity) of a single mouthwash of T-EO, compared to the activity of the 0.2% chlorhexidine (0.2% CHX, positive control). This same comparison was done once again for the analysis of the antiplaque effect on a biofilm model of 4 days. Afterwards, these two comparisons were repeated, but this time assessing the effects of the Af-EO solutions vs. the T-EO solution. A single mouthwash of the traditional formulation of EO presented very high immediate antibacterial effect in situ and a substantivity which lasted for at least 7 hours after its application over a 2-day PL-biofilm. These results were even better than those observed with 0.2% CHX under the same conditions. The T-EO and 0.2% CHX showed a very high antiplaque effect. Although the 0.2% CHX showed better results with regard to reducing the thickness and covering grade by the biofilm, both antiseptics showed a high and similar antibacterial activity. Both EO antiseptics had very high immediate antibacterial activity and substantivity in situ on the 2-day PL-biofilm after a single mouthwash. In the 4-day PL-biofilm, both EO formulations demonstrated a very high antiplaque effect in situ, although the alcohol-free formula performed better at reducing the biofilm thickness and CG.