COMPARISON OF ANTIBACTERIAL EFFECTIVENESS OF HERBAL TOOTHPASTE AND FLUORIDE ON THE GROWTH OF Streptococcus mutans

Abstract

Background: Streptococcus mutans was the most dominant bacteria in caused caries. Caries could be prevented by chemical plaque control methods used toothpaste. Toothpaste had antibacterial properties by helped to prevent bacteria from colonized. There were two antibacterial ingredients in toothpaste, fluoride and herbal ingredients.
Aim: Determined the antibacterial effect of toothpaste with herbal and fluoride content on the growth of Streptococcus mutans.
Methods: This study was an experimental study with a post-test only control group design. This research method was a diffusion method by means of wells. The sample used was the Streptococcus mutans colony. The study was divided into four groups, namely herbal toothpaste, fluoride toothpaste, positive control (chlorhexidine), and negative control (aquadest sterile) which were replicated 16 times in each group. The results of this study was the diameter of the resistance zone.
Results: The average diameter of the zone of inhibition results obtained 12.49 mm (herbal toothpaste), 14.66 mm (fluoride toothpaste), 21.70 mm (chlorhexidine) and aquadest sterile there were no inhibition zones. There was a significant difference with the p value <0.001 tested by the unpaired T test.
Conclusion: Fluoride toothpaste had a better antibacterial effect than herbal toothpaste on the growth of Streptococcus mutans