Antimicrobial efficacy of Colgate Plax Cool Mint^® mouthwash – in vivo studies

Hygienic procedures in oral cavity, both teeth brushing and using mouthwashes, have an influence on the composition and quantity of oral microflora. The aim of the work was to evaluate the impact of regular use of selected mouthwash on the titer of Lactobacillus and Streptococcus bacteria and Candida yeast-like fungi in the saliva.

The evaluation of the influence of Colgate Plax Cool Mint^® mouthwash on the number of Lactobacillus and Streptococcus bacteria and Candida yeast-like fungi in the saliva was done. The research included 39 persons at the age of 17±3 months, out of whom 30 people constituted a study group using mouthwash and 9 people – a control group not using mouthwash. The persons from the study group used the mouthwash twice a day for 2–3 minutes for the period of 5 months. The material for the microbiological tests constituted 2 ml of saliva collected three times from the participants: at the beginning of the research – before the use of a mouthwash and respectively, after 2.5 and 5 months from the first test.

Colgate Plax Cool Mint^®, the most frequently used by the youth in their daily oral hygiene and used in the present study mouthwash, showed effectiveness in reduction of Lactobacillus spp. and S. mutans bacteria, as well as C. albicans yeasts in the saliva of the studied persons, what is undoubtedly connected with inhibition of formation and prevention of oral plaque development.