How Essential Oil Mouthrinses Impact Dental Plaque: A Detailed Study

Jenn Hoskins
19th May, 2024

How Essential Oil Mouthrinses Impact Dental Plaque: A Detailed Study

Image Source: Natural Science News, 2024

Key Findings

  • The study by Johnson & Johnson Consumer Inc. introduced a new method for precise bacterial quantification in the oral microbiome
  • Essential oil mouthrinses like LISTERINE® Cool Mint significantly improved gingivitis and plaque after six weeks of use
  • These mouthrinses shifted the oral microbiome from a dysbiotic state to a healthier composition similar to that of individuals with clinically healthy oral conditions
The oral cavity is home to a diverse community of microorganisms that play a crucial role in maintaining oral health and can also contribute to oral diseases. Understanding the specific bacterial species and their quantities is essential for linking these microbes to clinical conditions. A recent study conducted by Johnson & Johnson Consumer Inc. has introduced a novel method for absolute quantitative microbiome analysis to assess the efficacy and safety of essential oil mouthrinses on the dental plaque microbiome[1]. In this randomized clinical trial, researchers compared the effects of LISTERINE® Cool Mint Antiseptic (LCM), an alcohol-containing prototype mouthrinse (ACPM), and an alcohol-free prototype mouthrinse (AFPM) against a hydroalcohol control rinse. The study included subjects with moderate gingivitis and used spiked DNA standards along with shotgun metagenome sequencing to achieve precise bacterial quantification. This method allowed for a detailed understanding of how these mouthrinses impacted the oral microbiome. Previous studies have highlighted the complex and diverse nature of the oral microbiome. For instance, research has shown that the human oral microbiome consists of over 700 species of bacteria that reside on both hard surfaces like teeth and soft tissues such as the oral mucosa[2]. A healthy oral microbiome has a core set of bacterial species shared among individuals, which helps maintain oral health[3]. However, disruptions in this balance, known as dysbiosis, can lead to oral diseases like gingivitis and periodontitis[2]. The recent study by Johnson & Johnson Consumer Inc. builds on these findings by providing a quantitative analysis of the microbiome, rather than just qualitative measures such as relative proportions or diversity. This approach offers a more precise understanding of the bacterial species present and their quantities, which is crucial for linking specific microbes to clinical conditions. The study's results showed that both LCM and ACPM mouthrinses significantly improved clinical gingivitis and plaque measurements after six weeks of twice-daily use. Multivariate analysis revealed that these essential oil-containing mouthrinses shifted the dysbiotic microbiome composition of subjects with gingivitis towards a healthier state. This shift resembled the microbiome composition of individuals with clinically healthy oral conditions at baseline. These findings suggest that the repeated use of essential oil mouthrinses can non-selectively reset a gingivitis-like oral microbiome to a healthier state. The study also aligns with previous research that has identified specific bacterial genera associated with oral health and disease. For example, bacteria such as Prevotella and Peptostreptococcus have been linked to conditions like halitosis and increased levels of volatile sulfur compounds (VSCs)[4]. By using a quantitative approach, the current study provides a more detailed picture of how these and other bacteria respond to mouthrinse interventions. Furthermore, the use of high-throughput sequencing and metagenomics in this study echoes the advancements in technology that have facilitated a deeper understanding of the human microbiome[5]. These technologies have enabled researchers to identify microbial patterns and associations with various health conditions, including oral and systemic diseases. In conclusion, the study conducted by Johnson & Johnson Consumer Inc. represents a significant advancement in oral microbiome research. By establishing a novel quantitative method for microbiome analysis, the researchers have demonstrated the efficacy of essential oil mouthrinses in improving oral health. This method provides a more accurate and clinically meaningful measure of bacterial abundances, offering valuable insights into the mechanisms behind mouthrinse efficacy and their impact on oral microbial ecology.

MedicineHealthBiochem

References

Main Study

1) Quantitative analysis of the effects of essential oil mouthrinses on clinical plaque microbiome: a parallel-group, randomized trial.

Published 18th May, 2024

https://doi.org/10.1186/s12903-024-04365-9

Related Studies

2) The oral microbiome - an update for oral healthcare professionals.

https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.bdj.2016.865

3) Defining the healthy "core microbiome" of oral microbial communities.

https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-2180-9-259

4) Relationship of tongue coating microbiome on volatile sulfur compounds in healthy and halitosis adults.

https://doi.org/10.1088/1752-7163/ab47b4

5) Salivary microbiome in non-oral disease: A summary of evidence and commentary.

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.archoralbio.2017.07.019


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