Natural Enzyme Mouthwash After Third Molar Surgery

Overview

This clinical study investigates whether a natural enzyme-containing mouthwash (ORAL7®) can improve healing, pain and mouth opening after the surgical removal of impacted lower wisdom teeth (mandibular third molars), compared to a commonly used antiseptic mouthwash (0.2% chlorhexidine gluconate). Wisdom tooth removal is a routine dental surgery, but it can lead to common postoperative problems such as pain, swelling, difficulty in opening the mouth, and delayed healing of the surgical wound. After surgery, patients are usually advised to use an antiseptic mouthwash to reduce bacteria in the mouth and support healing. Chlorhexidine mouthwash is widely used for this purpose, but it may cause side effects such as tooth staining, taste disturbance, and irritation in some patients. ORAL7® is a newer type of mouthwash that contains natural enzymes similar to those found in saliva, including lactoperoxidase, lysozyme, lactoferrin, and glucose oxidase. These enzymes help the mouth's natural defense system by reducing harmful bacteria, controlling inflammation, and supporting tissue repair. Because of these properties, ORAL7® may offer a gentler alternative to chlorhexidine while still promoting good healing. The study will involve patients undergoing surgical removal of impacted lower wisdom teeth. After surgery, participants will be randomly assigned to use either ORAL7® mouthwash or 0.2% chlorhexidine mouthwash for one week. Neither group will know which mouthwash they are using in order to reduce bias. The researchers will then monitor healing by measuring wound recovery, pain levels, and how easily patients can open their mouths during the first week after surgery. The main outcome being studied is how well the surgical wound heals after one week. Additional outcomes include the level of pain experienced each day and the degree of mouth opening after surgery. Study Hypothesis The study hypothesis is that patients using ORAL7® mouthwash will have similar or better wound healing, less postoperative pain, and improved mouth opening compared to patients using 0.2% chlorhexidine mouthwash after wisdom tooth surgery.

This study is a single-blinded, randomized controlled clinical trial designed to evaluate the effects of a natural enzyme-containing mouthwash (ORAL7®) on postoperative outcomes following the surgical removal of impacted mandibular third molars, in comparison with 0.2% chlorhexidine gluconate (CHX) mouthwash. Postoperative management following third molar surgery typically includes antiseptic mouth rinses to reduce microbial load and support soft tissue healing. While chlorhexidine remains the standard adjunctive mouthwash due to its broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity, its use is associated with well-documented adverse effects, including tooth staining, taste alteration, and potential cytotoxic effects on oral tissues. These limitations have prompted increasing interest in alternative agents that can support oral wound healing while maintaining antimicrobial efficacy. ORAL7® is an enzyme-based oral rinse formulated to mimic components of the innate salivary defense system. It contains lactoperoxidase, lysozyme, lactoferrin, and glucose oxidase, which collectively contribute to antimicrobial activity through enhancement of the lactoperoxidase-thiocyanate-hydrogen peroxide system. This enzymatic system supports microbial homeostasis, limits pathogenic bacterial growth, and may contribute to a more favorable environment for tissue repair without disrupting normal oral microflora to the same extent as conventional antiseptics. The biological rationale for this intervention is based on the role of salivary enzymes in regulating inflammation, microbial colonization, and tissue regeneration. Lactoperoxidase generates antimicrobial hypothiocyanite ions, lysozyme disrupts bacterial cell walls and modulates inflammatory activity, lactoferrin regulates iron availability while supporting immune modulation and tissue repair, and glucose oxidase contributes to controlled hydrogen peroxide production that sustains enzymatic antimicrobial activity. Collectively, these mechanisms may influence early wound healing dynamics, postoperative discomfort, and functional recovery. Eligible participants undergoing surgical extraction of impacted mandibular third molars under local anesthesia will be allocated into either the ORAL7® group or the CHX group using a randomized allocation method with allocation concealment. Postoperative care will be standardized across both groups except for the assigned mouthwash regimen. Participants will be instructed to use the allocated mouthwash for a fixed period following surgery, and postoperative recovery will be monitored over the first week. Clinical assessments will focus on soft tissue healing status at the surgical site, patient-reported pain intensity, and functional limitation related to mouth opening. These outcomes reflect key domains of postoperative recovery in oral surgery, including tissue repair, inflammation-related discomfort, and functional impairment. The study is designed to generate comparative clinical evidence regarding whether an enzyme-based oral rinse can provide equivalent or improved postoperative outcomes compared to chlorhexidine, particularly in terms of wound healing quality, pain reduction, and recovery of mandibular function. Findings may contribute to optimizing postoperative oral care protocols and reducing reliance on antiseptic agents with known side-effect profiles.