Essential Oil Mouthwash - Oral Hygiene

Background Inadequate oral health can further compromise general health, particularly in elderly patients who are more susceptible to tooth loss, periodontal disease, and oral infections. These conditions can impair nutrition and overall well-being and are associated with increased risks of systemic diseases, underscoring the critical need for effective oral care in this population. Essential oils and various plant extracts have attracted considerable attention as potential natural medicinal products due to their proven antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral, and antioxidant properties. However, the precise effects and underlying mechanisms through which essential oil mouthwashes promote oral health remain incompletely understood. Objective This study aims to evaluate the potential of a mouthwash formulated with a blend of tea tree, lemon, and bay laurel essential oils, which have long been recognized for their medicinal properties in alleviating inflammatory signs of intraoral mucosa and promoting both oral and gingival health, in comparison with/ without alcohol-based mouthwashes. Methods One hundred five community-dwelling elderly individuals were randomly assigned to one of three groups and used a designated mouthwash for oral care over 21 days. The study groups were as follows: 1. Essential oils mouthwash (tea tree, lemon, and bay laurel). 2. Chlorhexidine alcohol-free mouthwash. 3. Povidone-iodine alcohol-free mouthwash. Participants were instructed to use the assigned mouthwash for oral hygiene at least twice daily, in the morning and evening. Saliva samples were collected on day 1 (before using the mouthwash) and on day 21 to analyze oral microbiota and inflammation markers and assess oral health and the incidence of upper respiratory tract infections. Expected Results The treatment group of community-dwelling elderly individuals using the essential oil mouthwash is expected to show a significant reduction in oral bacterial load, improvement in gingival i