Evaluation of Oral Antibacterial Activity of Synthetic and Herbal Mouthwash Preparations

The oral cavity harbours a diverse microbial population that contributes to the development of dental plaque, caries, and periodontal diseases when oral hygiene is inadequate. Mouthwashes are widely used as adjuncts to mechanical cleaning methods to reduce oral microbial load. This study aimed to evaluate and compare the antibacterial potency of selected chemical, essential oil-based, and herbal mouthwash formulations against common oral pathogens. An in-vitro assessment was conducted using the agar well diffusion method and minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) determination against Streptococcus mutans and Lactobacillus species. The results demonstrated that chlorhexidine based mouthwash exhibited the highest antibacterial activity, producing the largest zones of inhibition and lowest MIC values. Essential oil-based mouthwash showed moderate antibacterial efficacy, while herbal mouthwash displayed lower but significant inhibitory effects. The findings indicate that antibacterial effectiveness varies with formulation and active ingredients. While chlorhexidine remains the most potent agent for short-term use, herbal mouthwashes offer safer alternatives for long-term oral hygiene maintenance. Key Words: microbial, adjuncts, potent.