RecruitingNAINTERVENTIONAL

The Effect of Chlorhexidine Mouthwash on Postprandial Glucose Response in Healthy Individuals

This study aims to understand if using an antibacterial mouthwash, like chlorhexidine, can change how your body processes sugar from food. Our mouths begin carbohydrate digestion, and the bacteria living there are usually helpful. Researchers are curious if killing some of these mouth bacteria with mouthwash could influence this process. Healthy volunteers will visit the lab twice, using either the antibacterial mouthwash or a dummy mouthwash. After rinsing and eating some white bread, their blood sugar levels will be checked regularly for two hours. This helps scientists see if the mouthwash has any effect on how sugar is handled by the body.

At a glance

Status

Recruiting

Phase

Sponsor

University of Plymouth

Enrolment target

Start

08 Jun 2022

Estimated completion

01 Jun 2026

Glucose Metabolism Disorders (Including Diabetes Mellitus)

What is this study about?

You might be surprised to learn that digestion doesn't just start in your stomach – it begins right in your mouth! When you chew, your saliva contains special helpers that begin breaking down starchy foods like bread. Your mouth is also home to countless tiny living things, like bacteria, and many of these are actually quite important for your health and even help with this early stage of digestion.

Antibacterial mouthwashes like chlorhexidine are designed to kill many of these mouth bacteria. While they are useful for certain dental conditions, scientists are now wondering if they might have other, perhaps unintended, effects. This study wants to find out if using such a mouthwash changes the way your body deals with sugar after you eat, specifically focusing on how your blood sugar levels respond.

By understanding this better, researchers hope to learn more about the complex connections between our oral health, the tiny creatures living in our mouths, and overall body processes like how we manage sugar. This isn't about treating diabetes, but rather exploring a basic element of digestion in healthy individuals.

Key takeaways

Looks at how mouthwash affects blood sugar.
Compares antibacterial mouthwash to plain water.
Involves finger-prick blood tests after eating.
Requires two short visits to a laboratory.
Aims to understand digestion better in healthy individuals.

Who may be eligible?

To join this study, you need to be a healthy adult aged 18 or over.

However, there are some reasons why you might not be able to take part. For instance, if you are pregnant, or if you are currently receiving cancer treatment, you wouldn't be able to join. Also, if you are taking medications that suppress your immune system or antibiotics, or if you've been regularly using an antibacterial mouthwash in the two weeks leading up to the study, you wouldn't be eligible. The researchers want to make sure the study results are clear and not affected by other health conditions or treatments.

Could this study suit you?

Answer these quick questions to see if you may be eligible. This is a guide only — the research team makes the final call.

Are you 18 years old or older?
Are you generally healthy?
Are you not pregnant?
Are you not receiving treatment for cancer?
Are you not taking drugs that affect your immune system or antibiotics?
Have you avoided antibacterial mouthwash for at least the past two weeks?

Answer every question to see your result.

What does participation involve?

If you decide to take part, you'll visit the laboratory on two separate occasions. On each visit, you will first provide a small sample of saliva and a tiny blood sample taken from a fingertip to check your starting blood sugar levels. Then, you'll rinse your mouth with a mouthwash for two minutes – on one visit it will be the active chlorhexidine mouthwash, and on the other, a dummy mouthwash (just coloured water). Neither you nor the researchers will know which one you're using on each day. After rinsing, you'll eat a small meal consisting of some white bread and jam. After eating, your blood sugar levels will be measured from a fingertip every 30 minutes for the next two hours. A final saliva sample will be collected at the end of each visit.

There will be at least 48 hours between your two visits. The total duration of your participation will involve these two lab visits, each lasting a few hours.

Potential risks and benefits

There are no direct personal health benefits expected from taking part in this study, but your contribution will help scientists better understand the link between oral hygiene and how our bodies process sugar. The risks involved are minimal, mainly discomfort from the finger-prick blood tests. The mouthwash used is a common one, but some people can experience temporary staining of teeth or changes in taste. You are free to withdraw from the study at any time, for any reason, without it affecting your medical care.

Locations (1)

Some site locations are approximate. We're improving this — please verify with the trial team before travelling.

University of Plymouth
Verified postcode
Plymouth, United Kingdom· Recruiting

Common questions

What is chlorhexidine mouthwash?

It's a common antibacterial mouthwash often used to reduce germs in the mouth, sometimes for gum health.

Why are researchers checking blood sugar?

They want to see if the mouthwash affects how your body handles sugar from food, as digestion starts in the mouth.

Will I know which mouthwash I'm using?

No, it's a 'blinded' study, meaning neither you nor the researchers will know which mouthwash you're given until after the study is complete.

What happens during a study visit?

You'll provide saliva and finger-prick blood samples, rinse with mouthwash, eat some bread and jam, and then have several more finger-prick blood tests over two hours.

Is this a study about diabetes?

No, this study is looking at basic digestion in healthy people, not testing new treatments for diabetes.

How to find out more

Raul Bescos Garcia

Raul.Bescos@plymouth.ac.uk 07599034710 Official trial record

Always speak to your GP or specialist before deciding to take part in a study.