The comparison of antimicrobial effects of herbal and chemical agents on toothpaste: An experimental study

Abstract

Background: Nowadays, health‑care companies use different antimicrobial agents in toothpastes
to reduce oral microorganisms. The aim of this study was to investigate the antimicrobial effects
of one Iranian herbal toothpaste in different concentrations compared with the chemical type on
oral microorganisms in vitro.
Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, the antimicrobial effect of one Iranian herbal
toothpaste in comparison with its chemical type at three concentrations of 1, 1:1, and 1:3 on
Streptococcus mutans (SM), Lactobacillus (LB), and Candida albicans (CA), respectively, were studied by
agar disc diffusion method. The microorganisms were cultured on 21 plates. Then, four sterile paper
discs were placed on each plate and the extracts were placed on them in prepared concentrations
and incubated at 37°C ± 0°C for 24 h. The diameter of the inhibition zone around the discs was then
measured in millimeters and recorded two‑way ANOVA, one‑way ANOVA tests, and regarding the
difference variances, Tamhane supplementary tests were used at the significance level of P < 0.05.
Results: According to the results of this study, the full concentration of Iranian herbal toothpaste on
SM, LB, and CA microorganisms had higher antimicrobial effect than the other two concentrations.
This difference was statistically significant (P < 0.05). Furthermore, all the three toothpastes at
full concentration had the same antimicrobial activity (P < 0.05). The antimicrobial effect of herbal
toothpaste decreased significantly compared with the chemical toothpaste while the concentration
decreased (P < 0.05).
Conclusion: At full concentration, herbal and chemical toothpastes have the same antimicrobial
effect, but by reducing the concentration, the antimicrobial effect of herbal toothpaste is reduced
compared with the chemical one.
Key Words: Ant‑ibacterial, chemical, herbal, toothpaste