Objective: To describe the recommendations, physical characteristics, methods of disinfection and the effectiveness of using homemade masks in reducing the transmission of COVID-19. Methods: Search was performed in the MEDLINE, SciELO and Google Scholar databases, in addition to the official recommendations for use. Results: 31 references were included. The filtration capacity of tissues varied between 5 and 98%. 100% cotton fabrics in two or three layers showed filtration efficiency between 70 and 99%, in vitro. Homemade masks, surgical and respirators showed breathability between 2.2 to 3.0 Pascal. The ability to reduce the spread of microorganisms by people wearing home masks was three times less than when using surgical masks, but it was superior to not wearing masks. Conclusion: The breathability of homemade masks may be adequate, while the filtration efficiency seems to be inferior to surgical masks, but superior to no mask use. There is no evidence to support the efficacy and effectiveness of homemade masks.

Objetivo: Descrever as recomendações, características físicas, métodos de desinfecção e eficácia de uso de máscaras caseiras na redução da transmissão da COVID-19. Métodos: Realizou-se busca nas bases de dados MEDLINE, SciELO e Google Scholar, além das recomendações oficiais de uso. Resultados: Foram incluídas 31 referências. A capacidade de filtração de tecidos variou entre 5 e 98%. Tecidos 100% algodão em duas ou três camadas apresentaram eficácia de filtração entre 70 e 99% em estudos in vitro. Máscaras caseiras, cirúrgicas e respiradores apresentaram respirabilidade entre 2,2 e 3,0 Pascal. A capacidade de redução da propagação de microrganismos por pessoas usando máscaras caseiras foi três vezes menor do que ao usar máscaras cirúrgicas, embora tenha sido superior ao não uso de máscaras. Conclusão: A respirabilidade de máscaras caseiras mostrou-se adequada, enquanto a eficácia de filtração parece ser inferior à das máscaras cirúrgicas, mas superior a não usar máscara. Não há evidências que respaldem a eficácia e efetividade das máscaras caseiras. 

Resumo Objetivo Descrever as recomendações, características físicas, métodos de desinfecção e eficácia de uso de máscaras caseiras na redução da transmissão da COVID-19. Métodos Realizou-se busca nas bases de dados MEDLINE, SciELO e Google Scholar, além das recomendações oficiais de uso. Resultados Foram incluídas 31 referências. A capacidade de filtração de tecidos variou entre 5% e 98%. Tecidos 100% algodão em duas ou três camadas apresentaram eficácia de filtração entre 70% e 99% em estudos in vitro. Máscaras caseiras, cirúrgicas e respiradores apresentaram respirabilidade entre 2,2 e 3,0 Pascal. A capacidade de redução da propagação de microrganismos por pessoas usando máscaras caseiras foi três vezes menor do que usando máscaras cirúrgicas, embora tenha sido superior ao não uso de máscaras. Conclusão A respirabilidade de máscaras caseiras mostrou-se adequada, enquanto a capacidade de filtração parece ser inferior à das máscaras cirúrgicas, mas superior a não se usar máscara. Não há evidências que respaldem a eficácia e efetividade das máscaras caseiras.

Abstract Objective To describe the recommendations, physical characteristics, disinfection methods and efficacy of the use of homemade face masks to reduce COVID-19 transmission. Methods We searched MEDLINE, SciELO, and Google Scholar, in addition to the official recommendations for the use of masks. Results Thirty-one references were included. Fabric filtration efficiency ranged from 5% to 98%. The filtration efficacy of three layered 100% cotton fabric face masks ranged from 70% and 99% in vitro studies. Homemade, surgical, and respirator masks showed breathability between 2.2 and 3.0 Pascal. The capacity to reduce the spread of microorganisms by people wearing homemade face masks was three times lower when compared to those wearing surgical masks, although this capacity was higher when compared to those who did not wear masks. Conclusion The breathability of homemade masks proved to be adequate, while the filtration ability seemed to be lower than that of surgical masks, but it was better than not wearing any masks at all. There is no evidence to support the efficacy and effectiveness of homemade masks.

Resumen Objetivo Describir las recomendaciones, características físicas, métodos de desinfección y efectividad de mascarillas caseras para reducir la transmisión de COVID-19. Métodos La búsqueda se realizó en las bases de datos MEDLINE, SciELO y Google Scholar, además de las recomendaciones oficiales de uso. Resultados Se incluyeron 31 referencias. La capacidad de filtración de los tejidos varió entre 5% y 98%. Los tejidos al 100% de algodón, en dos o tres capas, mostraron eficiencia de filtración entre 70% y 99%, en estudios in vitro. Mascarillas caseras, quirúrgicas y de respiradores mostraron respirabilidad entre 2,2 y 3,0 Pascal. La capacidad de reducir la propagación de microorganismos por personas que usan máscarillas caseras fue tres veces menor que cuando usaban mascarillas quirúrgicas, pero superior a no usarlas. Conclusión La respirabilidad de las mascarillas caseras puede ser adecuada, mientras que la eficiencia de filtración parece ser inferior a la de las mascarillas quirúrgicas, pero superior a no utilizar mascarilla. No hay evidencia que respalde su eficacia y efectividad.

Resumo Objetivo Descrever as recomendações, características físicas, métodos de desinfecção e eficácia de uso de máscaras caseiras na redução da transmissão da COVID-19. Métodos Realizou-se busca nas bases de dados MEDLINE, SciELO e Google Scholar, além das recomendações oficiais de uso. Resultados Foram incluídas 31 referências. A capacidade de filtração de tecidos variou entre 5% e 98%. Tecidos 100% algodão em duas ou três camadas apresentaram eficácia de filtração entre 70% e 99% em estudos in vitro. Máscaras caseiras, cirúrgicas e respiradores apresentaram respirabilidade entre 2,2 e 3,0 Pascal. A capacidade de redução da propagação de microrganismos por pessoas usando máscaras caseiras foi três vezes menor do que usando máscaras cirúrgicas, embora tenha sido superior ao não uso de máscaras. Conclusão A respirabilidade de máscaras caseiras mostrou-se adequada, enquanto a capacidade de filtração parece ser inferior à das máscaras cirúrgicas, mas superior a não se usar máscara. Não há evidências que respaldem a eficácia e efetividade das máscaras caseiras.

Abstract Objective To describe the recommendations, physical characteristics, disinfection methods and efficacy of the use of homemade face masks to reduce COVID-19 transmission. Methods We searched MEDLINE, SciELO, and Google Scholar, in addition to the official recommendations for the use of masks. Results Thirty-one references were included. Fabric filtration efficiency ranged from 5% to 98%. The filtration efficacy of three layered 100% cotton fabric face masks ranged from 70% and 99% in vitro studies. Homemade, surgical, and respirator masks showed breathability between 2.2 and 3.0 Pascal. The capacity to reduce the spread of microorganisms by people wearing homemade face masks was three times lower when compared to those wearing surgical masks, although this capacity was higher when compared to those who did not wear masks. Conclusion The breathability of homemade masks proved to be adequate, while the filtration ability seemed to be lower than that of surgical masks, but it was better than not wearing any masks at all. There is no evidence to support the efficacy and effectiveness of homemade masks.

Resumen Objetivo Describir las recomendaciones, características físicas, métodos de desinfección y efectividad de mascarillas caseras para reducir la transmisión de COVID-19. Métodos La búsqueda se realizó en las bases de datos MEDLINE, SciELO y Google Scholar, además de las recomendaciones oficiales de uso. Resultados Se incluyeron 31 referencias. La capacidad de filtración de los tejidos varió entre 5% y 98%. Los tejidos al 100% de algodón, en dos o tres capas, mostraron eficiencia de filtración entre 70% y 99%, en estudios in vitro. Mascarillas caseras, quirúrgicas y de respiradores mostraron respirabilidad entre 2,2 y 3,0 Pascal. La capacidad de reducir la propagación de microorganismos por personas que usan máscarillas caseras fue tres veces menor que cuando usaban mascarillas quirúrgicas, pero superior a no usarlas. Conclusión La respirabilidad de las mascarillas caseras puede ser adecuada, mientras que la eficiencia de filtración parece ser inferior a la de las mascarillas quirúrgicas, pero superior a no utilizar mascarilla. No hay evidencia que respalde su eficacia y efectividad.

Abstract Objective: Single dose of systemic antibiotics and short-term use of mouthwashes reduce bacteremia. However, the effects of a single dose of preprocedural rinse are still controversial. This study evaluated, in periodontally diseased patients, the effects of a pre-procedural mouth rinse on induced bacteremia. Material and Methods: Systemically healthy individuals with gingivitis (n=27) or periodontitis (n = 27) were randomly allocated through a sealed envelope system to: 0.12% chlorhexidine pre-procedural rinse (13 gingivitis and 13 periodontitis patients) or no rinse before dental scaling (14 gingivitis and 15 periodontitis patients). Periodontal probing depth, clinical attachment level, plaque, and gingival indices were measured and subgingival samples were collected. Blood samples were collected before dental scaling, 2 and 6 minutes after scaling. Total bacterial load and levels of P. gingivalis were determined in oral and blood samples by real-time polymerase chain reaction, while aerobic and anaerobic counts were determined by culture in blood samples. The primary outcome was the antimicrobial effect of the pre-procedural rinse. Data was compared by Mann-Whitney and Signal tests (p<0.05). Results: In all sampling times, polymerase chain reaction revealed higher blood bacterial levels than culture (p<0.0001), while gingivitis patients presented lower bacterial levels in blood than periodontitis patients (p<0.0001). Individuals who experienced bacteremia showed worse mean clinical attachment level (3.4 mm vs. 1.1 mm) and more subgingival bacteria (p<0.005). The pre-procedural rinse did not reduce induced bacteremia. Conclusions: Bacteremia was influenced by periodontal parameters. In periodontally diseased patients, pre-procedural rinsing showed a discrete effect on bacteremia control.

ABSTRACT Objective Halitosis can be caused by microorganisms that produce volatile sulphur compounds (VSCs), which colonize the surface of the tongue and subgingival sites. Studies have reported that the use of natural products can reduce the bacterial load and, consequently, the development of halitosis. The aim of this study was to evaluate the antimicrobial activity of the essential oil of Melaleuca alternifolia on the growth and volatile sulphur compound (VSC) production of oral bacteria compared with chlorhexidine. Material and Methods The effects of these substances were evaluated by the Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) and Minimum Bactericidal Concentration (MBC) in planktonic cultures of Porphyromonas gingivalis and Porphyromonas endodontalis. In addition, gas chromatography analyses were performed to measure the concentration of VSCs from bacterial cultures and to characterize M. alternifolia oil components. Results The MIC and MBC values were as follows: M. alternifolia - P. gingivalis (MIC and MBC=0.007%), P. endodontalis (MIC and MBC=0.007%=0.5%); chlorhexidine - P. gingivalis and P. endodontalis (MIC and MBC=1.5 mg/mL). M. alternifolia significantly reduced the growth and production of hydrogen sulfide (H2S) by P. gingivalis (p<0.05, ANOVA-Dunnet) and the H2S and methyl mercaptan (CH3SH) levels of P. endodontalis (p<0.05, ANOVA-Dunnet). Chlorhexidine reduced the growth of both microorganisms without altering the production of VSC in P. endodontalis. For P. gingivalis, the production of H2S and CH3SH decreased (p<0.05, ANOVA-Dunnet). Conclusion M. alternifolia can reduce bacterial growth and VSCs production and could be used as an alternative to chlorhexidine.