Hydrogen Water and Antibacterial Effects on Plaque in Lab Tests
Assessment of antibacterial effect of hydrogen water on plaque from patients with chronic periodontitis
This research was done on cells or tissue in a lab, not in people or animals.
- Evidence type
- Laboratory study (cells or tissue)
- Authors
- Akanksha Bhatt, Aarati Nayak, Kishore Bhat, Ranganath Nayak, Amruta Hooli, Sachita Naik
- Journal
- Journal of Indian Society of Periodontology
- Year
- 2021
- PMID
- 34158684
- Study Type
- Human
- Participants
- 20
- Delivery
- Water (Electrolysis)
- Dose
- Plaque samples exposed to hydrogen water at baseline, 1 min, 2 min 30 s, and 5 min
- Outcome
- Positive
- Peer Reviewed
- Yes
- Cited by
- 7 (OpenAlex, as of November 2026)
- Country
- India
TL;DR
Hydrogen water can reduce the bacteria in dental plaque that contributes to gum disease.
Key Finding
Hydrogen water significantly reduced bacterial counts in plaque samples from periodontitis patients within 1–5 minutes of exposure, affecting both aerobic and anaerobic microorganisms.
Summary
Researchers tested whether hydrogen water could kill bacteria found in plaque samples from patients with gum disease (periodontitis). They exposed plaque samples to hydrogen water for different lengths of time and counted how many bacteria survived. Hydrogen water reduced the number of both oxygen-loving and oxygen-avoiding bacteria within 1 to 5 minutes, suggesting it may have antibacterial properties.
Practical Takeaway
This small laboratory study (20 patients) shows hydrogen water can kill bacteria associated with gum disease in a test tube, but this does not yet prove it would work the same way in a person's mouth. More research, including actual clinical trials where people use hydrogen water as a rinse or treatment, would be needed to determine if it could help treat periodontitis in real-world conditions.
Abstract (excerpt)
Background: Periodontitis is an inflammatory disease causing destruction of tissues surrounding the teeth. The primary etiological factor for periodontitis is plaque. An inference could be drawn that an overall reduction in microorganisms halts disease progression. It is desirable to have natural…