Powerful Antiseptic Effect of Hyper-pure Chlorine-dioxide on Microorganisms and Biofilm

Method: The antibacterial properties of hyper-pure ClO₂, sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl), chlorhexidine gluconate (CHX) and Listerine were examined on selected common oral pathogen microorganisms (Streptococcus mutans, Lactobacillus acidophilus, Enterococcus faecalis, Veillonella alcalescens, Eikenella corrodens, Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans, Candida albicans) and on dental biofilm in vitro. Antimicrobial activity of oral antiseptics was compared to the gold standard phenol. Furthermore, dental plaque was collected from healthy patients. Massive biofilm was formed and its reduction was measured after treating it with mouth rinses for 1 or 5 min. The biofilm disrupting effect was measured by photometer after dissolving the crystal violet stain from biofilm.

Result: The results have showed that hyper-pure ClO₂ solution is more effective than other currently used disinfectants in case of aerobic bacteria and Candida yeast. In case of anaerobes its efficiency is similar to CHX solution. All tested oral rinses eliminated the in vitro formatted biofilm significantly compared to saline control at every investigated time points. The biofilm dissolving effect of hyper-pure ClO₂ was significantly higher compared to Listerine after 1 and 5 min as well and to CHX after 5 min impact. There was no significant difference among the 1 and 5 min results of the tested solutions.

Conclusion: Hyper-pure ClO₂ has a powerful antimicrobial and biofilm dissolving effect compared to the antiseptics widely used at present, therefore hyper-pure ClO₂ may be a new promising preventive and therapeutic adjuvant in oral care and dental practice.