An In vitro Study to Determine the Antibacterial Activity of Chlorhexidine and Herbal Mouthrinses against Enterococcus faecalis

BACKGROUND: Oral diseases have a strong history of treating by natural remedies. Chemical plaque reduction techniques, including dental mouthwashes, are intriguing because they can help patients who are unable to maintain appropriate mechanical plaque management. They are a less technically difficult alternative to mechanical control. AIM: This study aimed to compare the antibacterial efficacy of an herbal and 0.2% chlorhexidine gluconate mouthrinse against Enterococcus faecalis. METHODOLOGY: The antimicrobial effectiveness (zone of inhibition) of an herbal mouthrinse and chlorhexidine mouthrinse was determined by agar well diffusion method. RESULTS: The zone of inhibition for control mouthrinse was 19 mm, and there was no zone of inhibition observed for the experimental mouthrinse. CONCLUSION: The result of this investigation suggests 0.2% chlorhexidine gluconate has a better antimicrobial activity than herbal mouthrinse.