Evaluation Of Antibacterial Property Of Fresh Miswak Extract And 0.5% Sodium Fluoride Impregnated Miswak Extract Against Streptococcus Mutans And Lactobacillus Acidophilus – An Invitro Study

Dental caries continues to be a veritable scourge for mankind from time immemorial and prevention still seems to be the best panacea. It is generally accepted that oral hygiene maintenance through regular removal of dental plaque and food deposits is an essential factor in the prevention of dental caries and periodontal disease. Methods for oral hygiene maintenance vary across different countries and cultures. Despite the widespread use of toothbrushes and toothpastes, majority of the population still use indigenous oral hygiene aids like chewing sticks because of its easy availability, simplicity of usage, cultural acceptability and cost effectiveness. The Year 2000 Consensus Report on Oral Hygiene states that chewing sticks may have a role to play in the promotion of oral hygiene. The World Health Organization has recommended and encouraged the use of sticks as an effective and alternative tool for oral hygiene 2,3 . This recommendation is also consistent with the principles of the Primary Health Care approach that focuses on prevention, community participation, and the use of appropriate technology. Thus an evaluation of antimicrobial efficacy of plain and impregnated Miswak sticks can open new vistas in prevention of oral diseases. Miswak is an extensively used oral hygiene aid in Africa, Asia, Middle East and South American region. Miswak is Abstract: Streptococcus mutans and Lactobacillus acidophilus are the two oral microorganisms most commonly implicated in causation of oral infections. Above mentioned oral microorganisms have grown resistant to routinely used antimicrobials. There is a need for an antibacterial agent which is effective, safe, economical and culturally acceptable. Salvodora persica commonly known as Miswak is one such plant product which has been used from ancient time. Miswak is derived from a shrub known as Salvadora persica found mostly in Saudi Arabia and parts of the Middle East. It has shown to possess promising inhibitory effect on many of the oral microorganisms. On extensive review of dental literature, there was scarcity of studies which had tried to assess antibacterial potential of Plain and Miswak extract impregnated with 0.5% NaF against S.mutans and L. acidophilus; hence, the present study was designed.