A recent study reports that a mouthwash made from garlic extract shows remarkably strong antimicrobial activity in clinical settings, in some cases matching or even outperforming chlorhexidine, the long-established “gold standard” in dental antiseptic rinses. The researchers analyzed existing clinical studies using rigorous methods (PRISMA guidelines and PICO framework) and found that higher-concentration garlic mouthwash was consistently effective at reducing bacterial counts in the mouth, suggesting it could be a viable natural alternative to synthetic antiseptics. While the effectiveness varied depending on concentration and duration of use, and chlorhexidine sometimes maintained better plaque or salivary pH, garlic extract still demonstrated strong germ-fighting power. Some participants reported side effects like a burning sensation and strong odor, but these were generally milder than the common issues associated with chlorhexidine such as tooth staining or taste disruption. The review highlights garlic’s long recognized antimicrobial properties particularly linked to compounds like allicin and encourages further large scale, long term clinical trials to confirm its potential role in oral hygiene and disease prevention.
Source : https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/12/251207031338.htm