Hydrogen Water Mouthwash Fights Tooth Decay-Causing Bacteria
- Authors
- Ha-Young Youn, Ji-Hye Kim, Min-Jeong Cho, Su-Hyung Hong, Eun-Kyong Kim
- Journal
- Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
- Year
- 2025
- DOI
- 10.12701/jyms.2025.42.34
- Study Type
- Human
- Outcome
- Positive
- Peer Reviewed
- Yes
- Country
- South Korea
- Health Condition
- Dental Caries
- Body System
- Oral Health
TL;DR
Rinsing with hydrogen-rich electrolyzed water (HEW) can reduce dental plaque and the bacteria that cause it, making it a promising alternative to traditional mouthwash.
Key Finding
Hydrogen-rich electrolyzed water used as a mouthwash significantly reduced Streptococcus mutans bacteria and plaque buildup in a small human trial of 24 participants.
Summary
Researchers tested hydrogen-rich electrolyzed water (water treated with electricity to add hydrogen) as a mouthwash against Streptococcus mutans, a bacteria linked to tooth decay. In lab tests, the hydrogen-rich water reduced biofilm (sticky bacterial layers) formation without killing the bacteria itself. When 24 people used it as a mouthwash twice daily, they had fewer of these bacteria in their saliva and less plaque buildup compared to those using regular tap water.
Practical Takeaway
This small study suggests hydrogen-rich water may help reduce cavity-causing bacteria and plaque when used as a mouthwash, though the trial involved only 24 people and longer-term safety and effectiveness data are not yet available. More research with larger groups and longer follow-up periods would be needed to confirm whether this could be a practical alternative to conventional mouthwashes.
Abstract (excerpt)
Background: Previous studies have demonstrated the inhibitory effect of hydrogen-rich water on biofilm formation. However, hydrogen-rich electrolyzed water (HEW) has not been evaluated as mouthwash, despite being economical, convenient, and biologically safe. We assessed the antibiofilm effects…