Objectives: To evaluate propolis type-3 mouthrinse effects on the concentration of volatile sulfur compounds (VSCs) and on tongue dorsum microbial profile.
Materials and methods: A three-step double-blind, crossover, randomized study with 10 individuals divided into three groups: I-placebo (P); II-ethanolic extract of propolis type-3 3% (EEP); and III-chlorhexidine 0.12% (CHX) and instructed to rinse twice daily for 5 days. Each experimental period was followed by a 21-day washout interval. Morning mouth breath was assessed by VSC concentrations and microbiological samples were obtained from tongue dorsum at baseline and the end of period of rinses and analyzed using checkerboard DNA-DNA hybridization technique for 39 bacterial species.
Results: CHX and EEP presented the lowest VSC concentration when compared with placebo (p < 0.05). Even in the absence of mechanical plaque control, CHX and EEP treatments reduced VSC levels and there were no statistical differences for VSC measurement between CHX and EEP. There was a significant reduction in mean counts of 10 species including some VSC producers (Prevotella intermedia, Porphyromonas gingivalis, Treponema denticola, and Tannerella forsythia) by EEP. Total counts of organisms, gram-negative and gram-positive bacterial species showed a decrease for EEP and CHX (p < 0.05). In addition, no statistical difference was observed between EEP and CHX (p > 0.05). A positive correlation was observed between decrease of bacterial counts and decrease of VCSs concentration for the EEP and CHX.
Conclusions: The use of a 3% propolis type-3 mouthrinse is an effective way to prevent morning bad breath. Thus, propolis may be a promising agent for the treatment of halitosis.
Clinical relevance: Propolis type-3 may be used as adjuvant treatment for morning breath malodor.
Keywords: Biofilm; Clinical trial; Halitosis; Propolis.
© 2021. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature.