LAUSR

PURPOSE To study the antimicrobial effects of a novel vinegar-based denture cleansing agent on oral Streptococci and Candida species and the inhibitory effects on pre-formed bacterial and Candida biofilms on denture base. METHODS The microorganisms used in this study were Streptococcus mutans (S. mutans), Streptococcus sobrinus (S. sobrinus), Streptococcus sanguinis (S. sanguinis), Candida albicans (C. albicans), and Candida glabrata (C. glabrata). The antimicrobial activity of novel vinegar solution was evaluated by time kill assay and biofilm grown on denture base. RESULTS Time kill assay showed that vinegar exhibited the highest antibacterial effect on S. sobrinus, S. sanguinis, and S. mutans after 15 min of treatment. A 99.9% reduction in C. glabrata and C. albicans required more than 4 and 6 h of treatment, respectively. Vinegar significantly inhibited streptococcal biofilm, with an approximately 6 log-reduction at 30 min of treatment. The results demonstrated that viable Candida cells in biofilm reduced in excess of 6-log CFU/mL after 3 h treatment with vinegar. Moreover, the vinegar-based denture cleanser inhibited bacterial and Candida biofilm formation compared to the control group without treatment with statistical significance. CONCLUSION A novel vinegar-based denture cleansing agent showed moderate antibacterial properties, but required a slightly longer immersion time to attain anticandidal effects compared to Polident and 0.2% CHX.