In - vitro Sensitivity of Dental Plaque Agents against Synthetic and Natural Antibacterials

Human oral cavity is inhabited by hundreds of bacterial species that play vital role in maintaining oral health or in shifting to a diseased state such as dental caries. The present study was aimed to assess the effects of commercially available toothpastes on bacteria causing dental plaques and compared with the twigs extract Azadirachta indica L. (Neem), a well-known plant used by common people since ancient period in lieu of brush and paste, as used in modern practices. The dental plaques samples of forty students were examined and five bacteria were isolated by streak plate method on nutrient agar media and characterized using culture-dependent biochemical methods. The isolates were subjected to in vitro susceptibility tests by measuring zone of inhibition against twelve commercially available tooth pastes and Methanol extract of Neem twig by well diffusion method that was also compared with the sensitivity of Gentamycin as a standard antibiotic. Zone of inhibition in case of neem extract was found more than toothpastes and slightly less than Gentamycin. Out of these ten toothpastes, herbal preparation Dantkanti, a product of Patanjali Ayurved Ltd. showed the maximum sensitivity against all isolates followed by Sensodyne and Thermocyl. Visible white toothpaste was found to be least effective. The affectivity of an antibacterial agent would be help in clinical prophylaxis and thus in the treatment of the infection