Bacteriostatic Effect of Lemon Fruit Juice: It's Potential as an Oral Rinsing Agent

Objective: Rinsing with povidone-iodine solutions is commonly used for oral care. However, a heavy use of these solutions may damage the oral mucosa and cause an infection atrium. On the other hand, food-derived organic acids are known to have antimicrobial activity. In this study, we investigated the usefulness of lemon juice for routine oral care by comparing its antibacterial activity with that of a povidone-iodine solution. Methods: Mouth rinsing was performed using diluted lemon juice, and the rate of increase in oral bacteria was compared to that associated with using a commercially available mouthwash, povidone-iodine solution, or distilled water. In addition, the minimum inhibitory bactericidal concentrations of lemon juice for Escherichia coli DH5α were determined. Results: Thirty percent lemon juice showed antibacterial activity comparable to that of the povidone-iodine solution diluted as specified. Lemon juice was found to have bacteriostatic activity whereas the povidone-iodine solution had bactericidal activity against E. coli DH5α. Conclusion: The results suggest that oral hygiene could be effectively and safely maintained using lemon juice for rinsing.