Search

OBJECTS: Hydrogen has been shown to possess antibacterial effects at high concentrations. In addition, chlorine has a strong bactericidal effect even at low concentrations. Electrolysis is a way to simultaneously generate these two components. However, the concentration of hydrogen/free chlorine mixed water generated through electrolysis decreases quickly. It is predicted that the concentration of hydrogen/free chlorine mixed water will vary depending on the quality of water used. After investigating the optimum generation conditions, the effects of the most stable concentration of hydrogen/free chlorine mixed water on carious tooth fungus were evaluated in vitro. Thus, in this experiment, our goal was to evaluate the effects of hydrogen/free chlorine mixed water on oral bacteria. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Using a device that generates hydrogen/free chlorine through electrolysis, the differences in the concentrations of hydrogen and free chlorine based on electrolysis time were evaluated using tap water. Additionally, various concentration changes due to electrolysis time on the hydrogen/free chlorine mixed water were evaluated. Distilled tap water as a control group, hydrogen/free chlorine mixed water, and commercially available mouthwash were added for 1 minute to cultured Streptococcus mutans and then rinsed out with the culture medium. Bacterial growth (600 nm) and biofilm formation (590 nm) were measured at 3 and 6 hours after the addition of the medium. RESULTS: The concentration of hydrogen/chlorine mixed water produced by electrolysis varied depending on electrolysis time and the water used. The inhibitory effect of bacterial growth was enhanced depending on the chlorine concentration. Regarding the inhibitory effect on biofilm formation, only the mixed water of hydrogen/free chlorine concentration (500 ppb - 1.0 mg/L) had a suppressing effect after 6 hours. CONCLUSION: It was suggested that hydrogen/chlorine mixed water can be easily produced by electrolysis and has the effect of suppressing the growth of dental caries; therefore, it could be used as a cleaning agent in oral care products.