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Antibacterial activity of fluoride compounds and herbal toothpastes on Streptococcus mutans : an in vitro study
Author(s) -
Randall JP,
Seow WK,
Walsh LJ
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
australian dental journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.701
H-Index - 71
eISSN - 1834-7819
pISSN - 0045-0421
DOI - 10.1111/adj.12247
Subject(s) - dentifrice , triclosan , streptococcus mutans , fluoride , antimicrobial , sodium fluoride , chemistry , chlorhexidine , agar diffusion test , agar , food science , dentistry , microbiology and biotechnology , medicine , bacteria , biochemistry , escherichia coli , inorganic chemistry , organic chemistry , biology , genetics , pathology , gene
Background Streptococcus mutans is an important bacterial species implicated in dental caries. This laboratory study compared the antimicrobial activity of a number of fluoride containing and herbal dentifrices and their components against S. mutans . Methods An agar diffusion method was used with Mueller–Hinton agar. Wells were filled with either 10 commercial fluoride or 6 herbal dentifrices, or with solutions of various fluoride compounds, sodium lauryl sulphate, sodium benzoate, chlorhexidine digluconate or triclosan. Diameters of zones of bacterial growth inhibition surrounding the wells were measured using a micrometer. Results Significant differences were found for growth inhibition between the 10 fluoridated dentifrices (p < 0.0001), with Colgate Total having the greatest effect. There was not a direct correlation with fluoride type or fluoride concentration. The antibacterial activities of the 6 herbal toothpastes varied, with Herbal Fresh being the strongest. Sodium lauryl sulphate showed strong antimicrobial activity against S. mutans at the levels used in dentifrices. Conclusions Antimicrobial activity of commercial dentifrices against S. mutans may be exerted by components other than fluoride. Ingredients such as triclosan and sodium lauryl sulphate have larger antimicrobial effects than fluorides in this model.