Molecular Iodine Mouthrinse Antimicrobial Activity Against Periodontopathic Bacteria

This study compared two molecular iodine mouthrinses for their bactericidal effects against subgingival biofilm bacteria from severe periodontitis patients. In a subgingival biofilm eradication assay, dilution aliquots of subgingival microbial specimens from 32 adults with severe periodontitis were mixed with either a mouthrinse containing 100 parts per million (ppm) molecular iodine (Iorinse®) or one containing 150 ppm molecular iodine (iClean®), followed by mouthrinse neutralization after 60 seconds with 3% sodium thiosulfate. The mixtures, along with unexposed subgingival biofilm aliquots, were inoculated onto enriched Brucella blood agar and incubated anaerobically for 7 days to quantitate total viable bacterial counts and selected red/orange complex periodontal pathogens ( and ). Both molecular iodine mouthrinses significantly reduced total viable bacterial counts in the subgingival biofilm samples, with iClean® providing significantly greater suppression than Iorinse®. Both molecular iodine mouthrinses also significantly reduced total red/orange complex periodontal pathogens, with significantly greater suppression also exhibited by iClean®. The molecular iodine mouthrinses exerted marked bactericidal activity against human subgingival biofilm microbial species, including red/orange complex periodontal pathogens associated with severe periodontitis, with iClean® providing significantly better antimicrobial activity than Iorinse®. These findings suggest potential value of molecular iodine mouthrinses in the treatment and prevention of periodontal diseases.