Comparative Evaluation of the Effect of a Herbal Dentifrice and a Regular Dentifrice on Beneficial Oral Microflora – A Clinico- Microbiologic Study

Background and Objectives Herbal dentifrices are fast gaining popularity in most parts of Asia and Europe. Although effects of dentifrices on pathogenic plaque microorganisms has been documented, little or no evidence exists with regard to their effects on the useful microflora, which help to keep the pathogenic strains at bay. The present study was attempted to evaluate and compare these effects of herbal and conventional dentifrice. Methods 60 student participants in the age group of 18 to 28 years with good oral hygiene (OHI score = 0) were randomly divided into two groups, test and control. The test group used herbal dentifrice and the control group, a regular dentifrice. Plaque and saliva samples were collected at baseline, immediately after brushing, 12 hours after brushing, at 1 week and at 1 month, and cultured. The Streptococcus mitis and Lactobacillus counts along with total microbial counts were estimated at the various time intervals. Results Day 1 showed no significant difference between test and control groups with regard to Streptococcus mitis and Lactobacillus counts as well as total CFU (P>0.05), but at one week control group showed significant increase in streptococcus count in plaque and saliva(P>0.01). Whereas, the test group showed significant increase in L. bacillus and total CFU count in saliva, 12 hrs after brushing, when evaluated at one month (p>0.01). Conclusion Herbal dentifrices may be slightly more effective in preservation of beneficial oral microflora when compared to regular dentifrices, although both are equally effective in inhibiting the pathogenic microorganisms.