Book Title: Contemporary Research Across Disciplines
Editors: Dr. R. Saravana Selvakumar and Mr. R. Venkatesan
ISBN: 978-81-978738-1-2
Chapter: 2
DOI: https://doi.org/10.59646/crc2/278
Authors:
Dr. Amutha Priya Thangarajan, Department of Botany, G. Venkataswamy Naidu College, Kovilpatti, Tamil Nadu, India
Mr. Ramkumar Rajendran, Research Scholar, Department of Zoology, St. Xavier’s College, Palayamkotti, Tamil Nadu, India.
Mr. Madasamy Koilraj, Research Scholar, Department of Zoology, St. Xavier’s College, Palayamkotti, Tamil Nadu, India.
Abstract
Toothpaste, a gel-based dentifrice, is commonly used alongside a toothbrush to clean teeth and maintain their health and appearance. It plays a crucial role in promoting oral hygiene. In the United Kingdom, triclosan—a known antibacterial agent—is frequently found in toothpaste. Herbal variants, however, often incorporate baking soda, aloe, eucalyptus oil, myrrh, plant extracts, and essential oils. Common oral microflora, including Escherichia coli and Candida albicans, particularly Streptococcus mutans and E. coli, tend to accumulate on the tooth surface and gingival epithelium. The present study, conducted through in vitro experiments, reveals that toothpaste formulations with natural antimicrobial agents exhibit superior efficacy in controlling oral microflora compared to those with synthetic antimicrobials like triclosan. In this study, three commercial toothpaste brands—Colgate, Close Up, and Mouth Fresh—demonstrated antimicrobial activities comparable to broad-spectrum antibiotics against dental microorganisms such as Staphylococcus spp., Micrococcus spp., and Lactobacillus spp. Notably, Colgate toothpaste displayed a higher zone of inhibition on MacConkey agar plates. Similarly, Close Up toothpaste also showed significant results in the MacConkey agar well plate method. While these toothpastes show potential for managing dental infections, it is important to note that the results from in vitro studies may not directly translate to in vivo conditions or clinical effectiveness. Therefore, further research under in vivo conditions is essential. This study also highlights the need to evaluate the antimicrobial efficacy of various herbal toothpastes and compare them with conventional dentifrices known for their antibacterial properties.
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