The Effects of Various Mouthwashes on Osteoblast Precursor Cells

This study examined whether or not various mouthwashes have significant effects on the viability or morphology of mouse osteoblast-like cells. Mouse calvarial preosteoblast cells were cultured and prepared, then treated with a 0.12% chlorhexidine digluconate solution containing essential oils with or without alcohol, and a cetylpyridinium chloride solution, and sodium fluoride, respectively. Each well was treated with one of six mouthwashes for either 30 sec, 1.5 min, or 4.5 min. The viability of the treated cells was quantitatively analyzed by a Cell Counting Kit-8. The viability of osteogenic progenitor cells decreased significantly irrespectively of the types of mouthwashes. The changes of cell morphology were seen in all groups of mouthwashes; however, they were more noticeable on the chlorhexidine digluconate-treated group. A progressive increase in treatment time over 30 sec did not seem to deteriorate cellular viability. There was no significant difference in viability or morphological change between different formulations of the same brand. Although various mouthwashes without alcohol as an ingredient are available, nonalcoholic mouthwashes were not likely to be less harmful to the cells. Collectively, commercially available mouthwashes could inhibit cell viability and alter the morphology of osteoblastic precursor cells irrespectively of brands, treatment time, or alcohol content.