Summary
In 75 people, a 30-second HOCl rinse cut salivary bacteria by 33%, against 58% for chlorhexidine. The effect did not last beyond an hour. HOCl rinsing gave the most reports of unpleasant taste and dryness, and plaque differences from placebo were not significant.
Key points
- A 30-second HOCl rinse cut salivary bacteria by 33%, against 58% with chlorhexidine.
- HOCl showed no lasting effect (substantivity): bacterial counts returned to baseline within 1 hour.
- Plaque after 7 hours was highest with placebo, but differences between groups were not significant.
- HOCl rinses gave the most reports of unpleasant taste and dryness.
- Design: double-blind randomized trial of 75 people in five groups (0.025% and 0.05% HOCl, 0.12% and 0.2% chlorhexidine, sterile water).