A team of researchers has reviewed previous studies regarding the potential of garlic extract as an antimicrobial mouthwash compared to the current standard chlorhexidine. While further research is necessary, they concluded that it could indeed serve as a viable alternative, especially in higher concentrations. However, the side effects reported by the researchers failed to explain what garlic-based mouthwash would mean for one’s romantic life. Maybe that will be for the next review.
A natural alternative?
Antimicrobial mouthwashes are used to treat bacterial, fungal and viral oral diseases affecting the hard or soft tissues of the mouth. Patients can use them for gingivitis, cavities, periodontal diseases, and even halitosis—aka bad breath.
“Chlorhexidine is widely used as the gold standard mouthwash, but it is associated with side effects and concerns over antimicrobial resistance. Garlic (allium sativum), known to have natural antimicrobial properties, has emerged as a potential alternative, although clinical evidence is limited, the researchers, all from the College of Dental Medicine at the University of Sharjah, wrote in a review article published this fall in the Journal of Herbal Medicine. “This systematic review compares the antimicrobial efficacy of garlic extract with chlorhexidine in clinical practice, assessing its feasibility as a herbal alternative,” they said.
From an initial pool of more than 400 articles, the team narrowed the selection down to five, and their review showed that mouthwashes containing higher concentrations of garlic extract demonstrated antimicrobial abilities compared to chlorhexidine. Chlorhexidine is a common synthetic antimicrobial agent that is effective in a variety of medical and dental contexts. Garlic, the vegetable that almost everyone knows and loves, is often used as an herb and spice and is one of the strongest naturally occurring antibacterial and antifungal crops. While garlic extract can cause side effects, they are usually less intense than the side effects associated with synthetic chemicals.
Still, the researchers wrote, “effectiveness varies depending on mouthwash concentration and duration of application, which contributes to differences in outcomes.” “Some studies supported chlorhexidine for maintaining high plaque/saliva pH, while others found garlic extract to be more effective at certain concentrations. However, garlic mouthwash may cause more discomfort.”
side effects
Side effects such as burning and unpleasant odor were reported in the papers. Not surprisingly, this may influence people’s tendency to abandon chlorhexidine as a vampire-repellent option. However, garlic extract is more readily available than chlorhexidine and similar synthetic agents, which usually require a prescription. They are commonly available in many over-the-counter health products. Furthermore, mouthwash made with garlic extract has a more lasting residual effect than chlorhexidine.
Overall, “the mouthwash containing garlic extract demonstrated clinical antimicrobial effectiveness with a significant reduction in bacterial numbers from baseline,” the researchers explained. Their review indicates that, in some situations, mouthwash containing garlic extract may be a potential alternative to antiseptics and disinfectants such as chlorhexidine, which remains the gold standard mouthwash.
He further added, “These studies have contributed to the understanding of the antimicrobial role of garlic extracts compared to synthetic agents such as chlorhexidine.” However, “further clinical studies with larger samples and longer follow-up are needed to confirm the effectiveness and improve clinical applicability.”
One also needs to check for the possibility of garlic breath.
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