Comparative evaluation of antibacterial efficacy of green coffee bean extract mouthwash and chlorhexidine mouthwash against Streptococcus mutans and Lactobacilli spp. – An in vitro study

INTRODUCTION: Dental caries can occur in an individual irrespective of age, which makes preventing the incidence of dental caries vital. The prevention of dental caries includes various types of oral hygiene measures. One such modality is the use of mouthwash. As chlorhexidine mouthwash causes several adverse effects, there is a need for herbal alternative. Green coffee bean extract is one such herbal alternative. AIM: The aim of this study is to compare and evaluate the antibacterial efficacy of green coffee bean extract mouthwash and chlorhexidine mouthwash against Streptococcus mutans and Lactobacilli spp. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The ethanolic extract of green coffee bean was obtained by treating it with cellulase and 30% ethanol. Minimum inhibitory concentration and minimum bactericidal concentration were obtained by the broth dilution method and culture plating method, respectively. Based on these values, 3% green coffee bean extract mouthwash was prepared, and the antibacterial efficacy against S. mutans and Lactobacilli spp. was tested using the direct contact test. The obtained data were analyzed using the Mann–Whitney U-test and Wilcoxon matched-pair test. RESULTS: Intergroup comparison using Mann–Whitney U-test showed that green coffee bean extract mouthwash is equally effective against S. mutans and Lactobacilli spp. as compared to chlorhexidine mouthwash. Wilcoxon matched-pairs test showed that the efficacy of green coffee bean extract mouthwash reduced over a period of 10, 30, and 60 min time intervals. CONCLUSION: Therefore, green coffee bean extract can be used as an alternative to chlorhexidine as mouthwash.