Role of Kefir Mouth Wash in Oral Health Status Amelioration

Al-Mustansiriyah University

Status and phase: Enrolling; Phase 3; Phase 2

Conditions: Halitosis; Plaque Induced Gingivitis; Oral Disease

Treatments: Combination Product: Kefir Mouth Wash; Drug: Chlorhexidine 0,12%Biofresh Mouthwash

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT06900881

MUPRVOO15

Details and patient eligibility

About

The present research aims to evaluate the efficiency of kefir mouthwash in enhancing oral health status by employing an in vivo experimental approach. Specifically, the study will assess how kefir mouthwash influences key oral health indicators, including gingival inflammation, plaque development, oral hygiene status, and halitosis. The study will be conducted over a 28-day period, with follow-up assessments every 14 days. The study will include systemically healthy adults with moderate gingivitis. Clinical parameters such as the Gingival Index (GI), Plaque Index (PI), and Simplified Oral Hygiene Index (OHI-S) will be measured, along with inflammatory biomarkers, including Interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and Interleukin-10 (IL-10). Halitosis will be evaluated using a Hali meter device. All of these will be measured at base line and day 14 and day 28 end of the study. Chlorhexidine 0.12% will be used as a comparative control to evaluate the efficacy of kefir mouthwash in improving oral health. This research intends to provide scientific evidence supporting the use of kefir as a probiotic-based mouthwash, offering a natural alternative to chemical mouthwashes and potentially reducing the negative consequences commonly associated with their use.

Full description

Due to their antibacterial qualities, conventional oral hygiene products such as chlorhexidine mouthwashes have been extensively used. However, their prolonged usage is often linked to negative effects, including taste changes, tooth discoloration, and mucosal discomfort. In response, natural and probiotic-based substitutes that provide efficient antibacterial activity with minimal adverse effects have attracted increasing attention. One such alternative gaining interest is kefir, a fermented milk product rich in antimicrobial peptides, probiotics, and bioactive components, which will be used in this study to assess the impact of kefir mouthwash on oral health.

The study will involve 60 systemically healthy adults aged 18 to 28 years, with moderate gingivitis. Participants will be selected from dental students at Bilad Al-Rafi Dain University and trained dentists from a specialist dental center in Diyala city. A triple-blind design will be used to eliminate bias, where the participants, the researchers administering the intervention, and the data analysts will all be blind to group assignments. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of two groups: the chlorhexidine 0.12% Bio Fresh group (Scirto Co for Bio Fresh LIC, P.O. Box 87218, Dubai, U.A.E.) or the kefir group (Yogourmet, France).

The research will span 28 days, with three data collection periods: baseline (Day 0), Week 2 (Day 14), and Week 4 (Day 28). Participants will use either kefir mouthwash or chlorhexidine 0.12% Bio Fresh mouthwash twice daily for one minute, 30 minutes after brushing their teeth, while refraining from eating or drinking for one hour after use. Both groups will receive mouthwashes in bottles that are identical in color and shape, labeled with random codes (A or B) to maintain blinding.

The chlorhexidine 0.12% Bio Fresh mouthwash will contain 0.12% Chlorhexidine Digluconate, purified water, sodium saccharin, Cremophor, flavoring, and glycerin, while the kefir mouthwash will be made using kefir powder containing live probiotic strains and active bacterial and yeast cultures, including Lactococcus lactis, Lactococcus cremoris, Lactococcus diacetylactis, Lactobacillus acidophilus, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Kluyveromyces lactis, and maltodextrin, along with 3% fat milk.

The effectiveness of the mouthwashes will be assessed by evaluating the Plaque Index, Gingival Index, Simplified Oral Hygiene Index, and inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β and IL-10) at baseline, 14 days, and 28 days. Saliva samples will be collected at each follow-up to analyze the inflammatory response, and halitosis will be measured using the Hali Meter device. Participants will be monitored for compliance via daily tracking logs, electronic reminders through a WhatsApp group, and follow-up visits. Non-compliance or failure to adhere to the protocol will result in exclusion from the study.

Enrollment: 60 estimated patients

Sex: All

Ages: 18 to 28 years old

Volunteers: Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• Age range 18-28 years.
• Systemically healthy people without a history of chronic illness.
• Those suffering with moderate gingivitis.
• Not using any antibiotics over three months

Exclusion criteria

• History of systemic diseases.
• Pregnant, lactating females.
• History of antibiotic therapy in the past 3 months.
• History of oral prophylaxis within the last 6 months prior to the study as this can confound the results, making it difficult to determine the real effect of the mouthwash.
• Subjects with mouth breathing habits.
• Subjects with orthodontic and prosthodontic appliances.
• Subjects with deleterious habits such as smoking, because it may affect oral health status, causing periodontal disease, altered oral microbiota, and impaired healing. This can confound the study results, making it difficult to observe the mouthwash effect .
• Failure to follow the prescription regimen.
• Failure to follow the research protocol.

Trial design

Primary purpose: Treatment

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: Triple Blind

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60 participants in 2 patient groups

Kefir Mouth Wash

Active Comparator group

Description:

The experimental group will take 60 mL of kefir mouthwash (Yogourmet, France) which contains live probiotic strains and active bacterial and yeast cultures, including (Lactococcus lactis, Lactococcus cremoris, Lactococcus diacetylactis, Lactobacillus acidophilus, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, and Kluyveromyces lactis, and maltodextrin)mixed with milk with 3 percent fat (Pegah, Iran) .The milk will be heated to boiling point and then allow to cool to room temperature (25°C). After cooling, the kefir powder will be dissolved and culture for 24 hours, use 60 ml daily, split into 30 mL in the morning and 30 mL in the evening. To guarantee uniformity in the intervention, participants follow a set rinse technique. Participants will be instructed to use the respective mouthwash (Kefir mouth wash) twice daily for 1 minute, 30 minutes after brushing their teeth, after the mouthwash application, participants will be advised not to eat or drink anything for one hour to ensure accurate results.

Treatment:

Combination Product: Kefir Mouth Wash

Chlorhexidine 0,12% Bio fresh Mouth Wash

Other group

Description:

The control group will take 30 mL of 0.12% chlorhexidine Bio fresh mouthwash (Scirto Co for Bio fresh LIC)daily, split into 15 mL in the morning and 15 mL in the evening. To guarantee uniformity in the intervention, participants follow a set rinse technique. Participants will be instructed to use the respective mouthwash (chlorhexidine) for 28 days twice daily for 1 minute, 30 minutes after brushing their teeth, after the mouthwash application, participants will be advised not to eat or drink anything for one hour to ensure accurate results.

Treatment:

Drug: Chlorhexidine 0,12%Biofresh Mouthwash