The purpose of this study was to find out whether or not a certain mouth wash, i.e. povidone-iodine, will reduce the incidence of bacteremia following tooth extraction. The sample was composed of twenty-six patients who were given gingival sulcus irrigation and rinsing prior to tooth extraction. Thirteen patients used povidone-iodine mouthwash and the other 13 patients with an identically matched placebo. Prior to irrigation and rinse, first blood sample is drawn and first gingival sulcus sample is taken. To complete the whole procedure, the patient rinsed with 10-20 ml of assigned coded mouthwash for 30 seconds and then repeated the rinsing after 2 minutes followed by 60 second irrigation with 10-20 ml of the same coded mouthwash, administered in the gingival sulcus and surrounding mucosa of the tooth to be extracted. A second gingival sulcus sample is taken then extraction is performed. A second blood sample is drawn within 3 minutes of extraction. Growth and reduction in bacteremia were determined before, during and after extraction procedure. Results indicated significant reduction in incidence of post-operative bacteremia with povidone-iodine as compared with placebo (P = .01558) and significant reduction in growth of gingival cultures with povidone iodine as compared with placebo (= .65337). Povidone-iodine mouthwash used as a rinse and gingival sulcus irrigant reduced the growth of gingival cultures and the incidence of post-operative bacteremia in more specimen compared to the placebo.