Efficacy of Toothpastes on Bacteria Isolated from Oral Cavity.

Introduction: Oral cavity comprises a diverse group of bacterial flora, some of these bacteria are known to cause oral diseases in humans. Toothpaste removes stain and drives away bad breath. Their formulations and active ingredients play an important role in preventing periodontal diseases and other oral infections. Methods: Present study aims to determine total bacterial count before and after brushing from saliva samples of 72 individuals of age group 20-22 years. Instructions were given to all participants regarding brushing techniques, brushing time, amount of toothpaste, sampling procedure and sampling time. They were advised to brush with the supplied toothpaste for 2 mins, twice daily, in the morning and in the evening during the test period. Evaluation of antimicrobial efficacy of six different kinds of toothpaste against the bacterial isolates was performed by agar well diffusion method. Results: The total microbial reduction ranges from 42.83 - 57.40 %, where Dabur Red being the highest. Predominant isolates were identified as Staphylococcus sp., Streptococcus sp., Bacillus sp., Enterobacter sp., Corynebacterium sp., Micrococcus sp. and Klebsiella sp. Results of well diffusion test showed the anti-microbial efficacy of pepsodent over other brand of toothpastes. Herbal toothpaste like Dabur red, Babool and Himalaya are however effective, demonstrating significant zone of inhibition against Streptococcus sp., Staphylococcus sp. and Micrococcus sp. Conclusion: The active antimicrobial ingredients and formulations of synthetic toothpaste demonstrate their effectiveness in dental care, probably due to the presence of triclosan, fluoride, and other ingredients. However, the herbal toothpastes significantly reduce oral microbial load after brushing. Their natural origin as plant-derived antimicrobials provides opportunities in dental research and maintaining good oral health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]