Catechin Mouth-washing for Removal of Intraoral Bacteria

A Clinical Trial of Tea Catechin Mouth-washing for Removal of Intraoral Bacteria in the Elderly

The Purpose of this study is to evaluate the effects of catechin mouth-washing on the removal of intraoral bacteria in the elderly

Catechins are the major components of tea flavonoids and recent in vitro experimental studies have revealed that tea catechin extracts induce bactericidal effects. However, a limited number of studies have been conducted on the clinical effects of tea catechin against bacterial infection and also the effects in the elderly is unclear. Based on these backgrounds, we designed a prospective randomized controlled study to evaluate the effects of catechin mouth washing on oral pathogenic bacterial detected in the elderly.

Inclusion Criteria:

• aged over 65 years
• detected oral pathogenic bacterium and revalidated during the wash-out period
• without antibacterial medicine, other mouth-washing remedies during the study
• Obtained written informed consent before participation

Exclusion Criteria:

• possessing some infectious diseases in need of therapy
• possessing tea or catechin allergy
• diagnosed as inadequate for other reasons to participate the study by principal investigator