PURPOSE: The aim of this in vitro study was to evaluate the effect of mouthwashes with and without alcohol on some microorganisms. METHODS: Periogard®, Cepacol®, Plax Classic® and Oral-B® were the substances tested. For this study, 40 plates of Petri with medium blood agar were used for the following microorganisms: Staphylococcus aureus, Candida albicans, Enterococcus faecalis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa. To measure the inhibition zones, a single trained examiner used a stereomicroscope and a digital caliper. After data collection, the medias were compared using the ANOVA (analysis of variance) with Bonferroni test post-hoc correction for 5% significance level. RESULTS: Periogard®, with and without alcohol, showed the best results. Plax® without alcohol presented the poorest results. Plax® with alcohol was the best substance in relation to S. aureus. The others results remained with better effectiveness in relation to control substance. CONCLUSION: The alcohol-free mouthwashes did not have the same efficacy of antimicrobial rinses with alcohol in relation to microorganisms tested in this study.
Mouthwash; chlorhexidine