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 these micro-organisms can occur as local infections of the oral mucous membrane, local infections of the soft tissues or the bones following surgical intervention, or endocarditis due to bacteraemia following dental surgery. In the therapy of periodontal diseases, the application of antiseptic solutions is indicated to inhibit or reduce plaque accumulation. Povidone-iodine (PVP-I) solution will reduce inflammation and the progression of periodontal disease. The application of antiseptics in the oral mucous membrane is also indicated to prevent wound infections following surgical intervention in patients with leukaemia, AIDS, immunosuppressant therapy and patients undergoing anti-neoplastic radiation 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 sulcus with an antiseptic solution is a useful complement to antibiotic prophylaxis in patients at risk of bacterial endocarditis. Many trials on the effectiveness of PVP-I on dental extraction bacteraemia have shown a significant benefit in the active group in comparison with the control group.