REVIEW PRESENTATION ON POVIDONE-IODINE ANTISEPSIS IN THE ORAL CAVITY

Due to the great number of different micro-organisms present, the oral cavity is an important source of infection. Infections caused by thes e micro-organisms can occur as local infections of the oral mucous mem brane, local infections of the soft tissues or the bones following sur gical intervention, or endocarditis due to bacteraemia following denta l surgery. In the therapy of periodontal diseases, the application of antiseptic solutions is indicated to inhibit or reduce plaque accumula tion. Povidone-iodine (PVP-I) solution will reduce inflammation and th e progression of periodontal disease. The application of antiseptics i n the oral mucous membrane is also indicated to prevent wound infectio ns following surgical intervention in patients with leukaemia, AIDS, i mmunosuppressant therapy and patients undergoing anti-neoplastic radia tion or chemotherapy. Some trials on the antibacterial efficacy of PVP -I in vivo showed reduction factors of log 2-3. PVP-I may therefore be recommended as an oral antiseptic. The irrigation of the gingival sul cus with an antiseptic solution is a useful complement to antibiotic p rophylaxis in patients at risk of bacterial endocarditis. Many trials on the effectiveness of PVP-I on dental extraction bacteraemia have sh own a significant benefit in the active group in comparison with the c ontrol group.