IN-VITRO ANTIBACTERIAL ACTIVITY OF COMMONLY USED TOOTHPASTES IN NIGERIA AGAINST DENTAL PATHOGENS

Abstract

The in-vitro antibacterial activity of different brands of toothpaste on dental pathogens was investigated. A total of four different brands of toothpastes designated A, B, C and D were tested for their antibacterial effect on five dental pathogens namely, Streptococcus mutans, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Lactobacillus acidophilus, Klebsiella pneumoniae and Enterobacter species using agar well diffusion method at different concentrations. The result showed that all the toothpastes were effective against the test organisms. The diameter of zones of inhibition of brand A ranged from 18.0mm against L. acidophilus and K. pneumonia at 2:5 concentrations to 24.0mm against S. mutans at 4:5 concentrations, brand B ranged from 18.0mm (L. acidophillus) to 23.0mm (S. mutans), brand C ranged from 18.0mm (K. pneumonia) to 22.0mm (S. mutans) at 2:5 and 4:5 concentrations respectively while brand D zones of inhibition ranged from 18.0mm (K. pneumonia) to 23.0mm (S. mutans) at 2:5 and 4:5 concentrations respectively. On the average, brand D has the highest antibacterial effect against the test organisms (20.70mm) followed by brand C (20.60mm), then brand B (20.50mm) while brand A showed the least activity against the test organisms (20.30mm). The variations in the antibacterial activity of the various toothpastes compared favourably with the broad spectrum antibiotics, ampicillin, tetracycline and chloramphenicol. The effectiveness of these toothpastes is directly related to the antibacterial components in their formulations. Therefore, these brands of toothpastes and others with the same formulations can be used to control dental infections associated with the test organisms.