Role of Kefir Mouthwash in Halitosis Reduction. A Triple-Blind Randomized Clinical Trial
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.32828/mdj.v22i1.1246Keywords:
Halitosis, probiotics, kefir mouthwash, chlorhexidine, volatile sulfur compounds, randomized controlled trialAbstract
Aim: This research aimed to investigate the efficacy of kefir mouthwash, a probiotic-based natural alternative, compared to chlorhexidine (CHX) in reducing halitosis Materials: A triple-blind, randomized, controlled clinical study involved 60 systemically healthy adults whose ages ranged 18-28 years diagnosed with moderate gingivitis, recruited from dentistry students at Bilad Al-Rafidain University and training dentists from a specialized dental center in Diyala, Iraq. Subjects were randomly assigned to either control group (30 subjects) using 0.12% chlorhexidine mouthwash or study group (30 subjects) using kefir mouthwash twice daily for 28 days. Halitosis was assessed objectively via volatile sulfur compound (VSC) levels, concentration, and odor detection distance using a Halimeter, and subjectively using a Visual Analog Scale (VAS) at baseline, day 14, and day 28. Results: Both groups exhibited significant reductions in halitosis parameters over 28 day time (p < 0.001). The kefir group showed slightly greater improvements in VSC concentration, odor detection distance, and VAS scores at follow-up points, although these differences compared to the control group were small. Conclusion: The findings of this study indicate that both kefir and chlorhexidine mouthwashes are effective options for reducing halitosis over the 28-day period. Although the kefir mouthwash led to slightly better improvements, which may be due to its effects on the oral microbiota, these differences compared to the control group were small. Additionally, kefir's good safety and biocompatibility profile imply that it might be an effective natural substitute for people looking for long-term halitosis treatment without the negative side effects of chlorhexidine. Further research with longer follow-up and larger sample sizes is recommended to confirm its efficacy and mechanisms.
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