Efficacy of herbal toothpastes on salivary pH and salivary glucose - A preliminary study

Comparative Evaluation of Antimicrobial Activity and Minimum Inhibitory Concentration of Commercially Available Pediatric Dentifrices: An In Vitro Study

Aim

The aim of this study was to evaluate the antimicrobial efficacy and minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of commercially available pediatric dentifrices containing different compositions against Streptococcus mutans and Lactobacillus activity.

Materials and methods

Four different commercially available brands of pediatric dentifrices, designated as sample I-fluoride, sample II-herbal, sample III-xylitol with nanosilver particles, and sample IV-xylitol with fluoride, along with two control groups (a positive control-ciprofloxacin and a negative control-distilled water), were tested for their antibacterial activity by measuring the zone of inhibition, followed by MIC against two dental bacterial pathogens, S. mutans strain and Lactobacillus acidophilus (LB) strain, at five different twofold dilutions of 100, 50, 25%, 12.5, and 6.25% concentrations.

Result

All four dentifrices were found to have wide variations in their effectiveness against the two tested microorganisms at 100% (pure) and 50% concentrations, with sample I having the highest activity, followed by sample IV and sample II. At 25% concentration, only sample I and sample IV showed antibacterial activity, while at 12.5 and 6.25% concentrations, none of the tested toothpastes exhibited any antibacterial activity. Sample III failed to show antibacterial activity even in pure form against the two microorganisms.

Conclusion

In our present study, the fluoride-containing pediatric dentifrice with a lower fluoride concentration (458 ppm) exhibited the highest zone of inhibition, followed by the xylitol with fluoride dentifrice and the herbal dentifrice. No zone of inhibition was observed in the nanosilver with xylitol dentifrice.

How to cite this article

Dureha R, Navit S, Khan SA, et al. Comparative Evaluation of Antimicrobial Activity and Minimum Inhibitory Concentration of Commercially Available Pediatric Dentifrices: An In Vitro Study. Int J Clin Pediatr Dent 2024;17(8):938-944.

Six-month follow-up of salivary antioxidant defense outcomes of individuals using medicated toothpaste

Objective

The objective of this study was to study the effect of medicated toothpaste on oral health, a 6-month follow-up.

Methods

Four hundred and twenty-seven participants were screened and followed up for 6 months. The intraoral examination was performed to record caries, gingival bleeding, and plaque index. Saliva collected was evaluated for pH, total antioxidant capacity (TAC), malondialdehyde (MDA), and Vitamin C level for 6 months, and data were analyzed.

Results

On the usage of medicated toothpaste with herbal extract for 6 months, the salivary pH levels were increased, the interquartile range for plaque, and the gingival bleeding index decreased. The percentage change in salivary TAC, MDA, and Vitamin C levels in the caries-free group of subgroup I was 174.8, 58.06, and 59.98, respectively, in subgroup II was 133.3, 52.08, and 58.51, and in subgroup III was 63.77, 45.11, and 47.77. The percentage change in salivary TAC, MDA, and Vitamin C levels in the caries-active group of subgroup I was 136.62, 57.27, and 72.83, subgroup II was 108.59, 37.50, and 61.55, and in subgroup III was 35.62, 30.82, and 54.10, respectively.

Conclusion

The salivary pH levels increased on the usage of medicated toothpaste with herbal extract; plaque and the gingival bleeding index scores were decreased. The salivary antioxidant defense was increased in individuals using medicated toothpaste with herbal extracts which signifies an improvement in overall oral health in the 6-month follow-up.

Remineralizing Potential of Low-fluoridated, Nonfluoridated and Herbal Nonfluoridated Dentifrices on Demineralized Surface of Primary Teeth: An In Vitro Study

Aim

The aim of this in vitro study is to evaluate the remineralizing potential of commercially available low-fluoridated, nonfluoridated, and herbal nonfluoridated child formula dentifrices on primary teeth.

Materials and methods

Total of 36 primary teeth were placed in the demineralizing solution for 96 hours to produce artificial carious lesions of approximately 100 μm depth, and then cut longitudinally into 30 sections of 100–150 μm thickness and randomly assigned to three groups. Sections were treated with low-fluoridated, nonfluoridated, and herbal nonfluoridated dentifrice. Lesions were evaluated using polarized light microscopy.

Results

Intragroup comparison of mean lesion depth from pretreatment to posttreatment among the three study groups revealed that maximum reduction in lesion depth was found to be in group I (low-fluoridated) followed in descending order by group III (herbal nonfluoridated) and group II (nonfluoridated), respectively.

Conclusion

Group I (low-fluoridated) and group III (herbal nonfluoridated) demonstrated remineralization of carious lesions by virtue of a decrease in lesion depth, whereas group II (nonfluoridated) showed an increase in lesion depth.

Clinical significance

Fluoride dentifrices are the most widely used products that deliver topical fluoride to the oral environment. The major drawback is the risk of dental fluorosis, which occurs because of ingestion of dentifrices, in preschool children. This necessitates use of preventive measures which include (1) reducing the amount of toothpaste used, (2) supervised brushing in preschool children and (3) developing low-fluoride toothpastes for minimizing risk of dental fluorosis. Further dental professionals must investigate effectiveness of increasingly popular “Herbal” products.

How to cite this article

Tiwari S, Saha S, Dhinsa K, et al. Remineralizing Potential of Low-fluoridated, Nonfluoridated and Herbal Nonfluoridated Dentifrices on Demineralized Surface of Primary Teeth: An In Vitro Study. Int J Clin Pediatr Dent 2022;15(3):251-257.

Toothpaste Activity Test of Laban Leaf Methanol Extract (Vitex pinnata) Against the Growth of Streptococcus mutans Bacteria

BACKGROUND: One of the natural ingredients that can be used as a substitute for preventing dental caries is the methanol extract of Laban leaves. Laban contains various compounds that are known to have antibacterial properties. The traditional ability of Laban Leaf Methanol Extract has been proven to treat diseases caused by pathogenic microorganisms. AIM: The aim of the study was to analyzing the activity test of Laban leaf methanol extract toothpaste (Vitex pinnata) against the growth of Streptococcus mutans bacteria. METHODS: This type of laboratory experimental research (true experimental design) with post-test only control group design. This research was conducted at the Poltekkes Pharmacy Laboratory of the Ministry of Health in Aceh in July-August. The research sample consisted of Laban leaves collected randomly in the Ie Seu Um Geothermal area of Selawah Agam Aceh Besar. Data analysis was carried out descriptively. Antibacterial activity data were statistically processed with one-way ANOVA at a confidence level of α 0.05. RESULTS: The organoleptic test results observed for 3 weeks showed that there were differences in color and aroma; the higher the concentration of the resulting color, the darker it was, and resulting in a soft, sweet taste in the toothpaste of laban leaf methanol extract. The pH acidity test results showed an effect of storage time (the week I, week II, and week III) on toothpaste’s pH value. The viscosity test results showed that the toothpaste formula combined with the methanol extract of Laban leaves met the SNI 12-524-1995 standards regarding toothpaste. Toothpaste formula F3. 4.5% has the greatest viscosity, ranging from 241.0 (PDAs), and followed by F2. 240.4%, and F1. 237.6%. The higher the active ingredient concentration, the greater the viscosity value. The foam formation test results show that the foam’s stability is greatly influenced by particle size. The more the particle size, the lower the foam stability. ANOVA test results based on the concentration of significance value (0.000) <0.05, there is a difference in the number of bacterial colonies based on the concentration variable. ANOVA test results based on the repetition of significant values (0.423)> 0.05, which means that all repetitions have the same effect on the number of colonies, so there is no difference in the number of colonies based on the repetition variable. CONCLUSION: Minimum inhibitory concentration of toothpaste laban leaf methanol extract against S. mutans growth was aimed at a concentration of 4.5%, with an average number of bacterial colonies 108.5 × 10−7 CFU/mL).

Evaluation of dentifrices of complementary and alternative medicinal systems on plaque formation and gingivitis: A randomized controlled clinical trial

Background

Bio-film formation is a natural process in the oral environment, but needs to be controlled through regular brushing in order to prevent the development of caries and periodontal diseases.

Material and Methods

A wide variety of dentifrices of complementary and alternative medicinal systems are available in the market which claims superior plaque control. A randomized controlled double-blinded concurrent parallel clinical trial was conducted with the objective to evaluate and compare the clinical effectiveness of three commercially available dentifrices of complementary and alternative medicine systems with that of a placebo dentifrice on Gingival Index (GI) and Plaque Index (PI) scores after 15, 30, 45 and 60 days of usage among 80 adults aged 35-44 years.

Results

The mean GI scores reduced by 29.19 %, 22.28 %, 32.43 % and 10.33 % in the herbal dentifrice, homeopathic dentifrice, conventional dentifrice, and placebo dentifrice groups by the end of the study period. Highest reduction of 33.5% and 34.87 % in PI scores were seen in the herbal and conventional dentifrice. This reduction was statistically significant (p=0.001).

Conclusions

The herbal dentifrice tested in the present study has demonstrated anti-gingivitis and anti-plaque efficiency equivocal to the conventional dentifrice. The homeopathic dentifrice was as good as a placebo.

Key words:CAM dentifrices, Homeopathic dentifrice, plaque, gingivitis, tooth brushing.

Comparison between the effect of commercially available chemical teeth whitening paste and teeth whitening paste containing ingredients of herbal origin on human enamel

Background:

Dentistry plays a crucial role in shaping the esthetics of a person and thus boosts the self-esteem of an individual. Whitening of the teeth is the most popular procedure where surface and deep stain removal whitens the teeth. Teeth whitening is achieved by professional application of chemicals and can also be self-administered by numerous products available. The most popular product is teeth whitening paste which is simple in application and easily available. Recently, teeth whitening tooth paste is commercially available where natural ingredients or their derivatives are used instead of chemicals for teeth whitening.

Aims:

To investigate and compare the effect of commercially available chemical teeth whitening toothpaste and teeth whitening toothpaste containing ingredients of herbal origin on human enamel (at the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology, Royal Dental College, Kerala, India).

Materials and Methods:

An in vitro study with a duration of 14 days was conducted.

Settings and Design:

An in vitro study was conducted twenty samples were taken and assembled in to two groups of 10 each. Group A for teeth treated with conventional chemical toothpaste and group B for teeth treated with toothpaste containing ingredients of herbal origin. Premolars extracted for orthodontic purpose were checked for shade with Vita 3D shade guide and were observed under a stereomicroscope for surface morphology before the procedure. Each section was cleansed twice daily for 1 min with specified toothpaste and soft bristle toothbrush according to their groups and then cleansed with tap water and stored again in the same solution. After 14 days, the teeth were tested for the shade using vita 3D shade guide and surface morphology using stereomicroscope.

Statistical Analysis Used:

Student's unpaired t-test.

Results and Conclusion:

In this 14-day in vitro study, the chemical whitening toothpaste showed better whitening of teeth than toothpaste containing ingredient of herbal origin, whereas the surface irregularities was increased on the surface of the enamel with chemical whitening toothpaste when compared with toothpaste containing ingrtedients of herbal origin.