PubMed · 2025-12-03
A systematic review of 14 studies found that chlorhexidine mouthwash causes the most severe disruption to oral bacteria, cutting microbial diversity by 40-60% and raising antibiotic resistance genes. Herbal and plant-based rinses, including roselle and thyme-derived compounds, reduced harmful bacteria by 25-40% while leaving beneficial microbes largely intact.
Chlorhexidine reduced oral microbial diversity by 40-60% and increased Streptococcus spp. two- to threefold across studies.
Herbal and plant-based rinses (o-cymen-5-ol, StellaLife, roselle) reduced pathogens by 25-40% while preserving 70-80% of commensal bacteria.
Loss of nitrate-reducing bacteria from antiseptic rinses lowered nitric oxide availability, linking oral dysbiosis to potential vascular and cognitive risks.
