TITLE:
Antimicrobial Activity of Some Commercial Toothpastes and Antibiotics on Two Oral Pathogenic Bacteria—An in-Vitro Study
AUTHORS:
Abubaker Elrotob, Idris Kabalci
KEYWORDS:
Antibacterial Effect, Antibiotics, Toothpastes, Streptococcus mutans, Staphylococcus epidermidis
JOURNAL NAME:
Journal of Biosciences and Medicines,
Vol.12 No.3,
March
19,
2024
ABSTRACT: Oral health problems such as periodontal diseases, dental caries, and endodontic infections have a significant negative impact on oral health and impose a substantial financial burden on the global population. The prevalence of these issues is increasing due to the buildup of bacterial plaque and the growing resistance of bacteria to antimicrobial treatments. The aims of this study to evaluate the anti-bacterial activity of four types of antibiotics (Amoxicillin, Augmentin, Azithromycin and Metronidazole) and four types of toothpastes (Sensodyne, ipana, denta and cariax Gingival Kin) on two oral pathogenic bacteria (Streptococcus mutans and Staphylococcus epidermidis). Bacterial samples of previously isolated Streptococcus mutans and Staphylococcusepidermidis were used as test organisms and the Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion method was employed to assess the antibacterial efficacy of various antibiotics and evaluate the impact of different toothpastes using a filter paper disc agar measurement technique. Each filter disc was saturated with toothpaste solution in a test tube for approximately 30 to 40 seconds, after which they were placed on Mueller-Hinton broth bacterial cultures in petri dishes. These Petri dishes were then incubated at 37°C for 24 hours, and the clear zone’s diameter (inhibition zone in mm) was subsequently measured and the results were recorded. The results demonstrated that Sensodyne toothpaste and Metronidazole antibiotic were ineffective against both types of bacteria, while Augmentin and Amoxicillin were effective by high diameter inhibition zones of growth against S. mutans and Azithromycine against S. epidermidis. Also Ipana, Denta, and Cariax Gingival Kin toothpastes exhibited a moderate effect against the two bacteria. This study suggests that certain antibiotics and toothpastes can effectively inhibit the growth of harmful oral bacteria, but not all of them are effective.