COMPARISON OF ANTIMICROBIAL ACTIVITY OF TWO COMMERCIAL TOOTHPASTES

Abstract

The bacteria within the oral cavity are incriminated for caries and periodontitis. The simplest method to reduce bacterial load is tooth brushing. The commercial toothpaste has therapeutic ingredients with antibacterial effects. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect on the oral microbiome of two commercial toothpaste. One toothpaste has active ingredients 8% arginine and 1450 ppm fluoride and another 1100 ppm fluoride and 0.3% triclosan. Material and method: samples of dental plaque from 10 healthy subjects were collected before and after tooth brushing. The oral hygiene was scored using the oral hygiene index simplified. The Gram staining was used to identify bacterial genera. Results: The main bacterial strain identified was Gram-positive cocci. The filamentous Gram-negative bacteria were frequently identified mainly in subjects with poor and fair oral hygiene. In 17 out of 20 samples, there was a reduced bacterial community after tooth brushing. The paste with arginine and fluoride is more successful in decreasing filamentous Gram-negative bacteria. Conclusion: Both toothpastes provided antimicrobial activity. 1450 ppm fluoride in association with 8% arginine seems to be more effective than 1100 ppm fluoride in association with 0.3% triclosan in reducing the number of filamentous Gram-negative bacteria.

Keywords

• oral microbiome
• toothpaste
• antimicrobial effect
• arginine
• fluoride