ABSTRACT

Antimicrobial agents have been as chemotherapeutic agents to improve oral health. This in-vitro study was carried out to determine antimicrobial efficacy of different toothpastes against the oral pathogen (Streptococcus mutans). A total of four toothpastes(Sensodyne,Colgate,Close-up,Dabur-herbal) were tested for their antimicrobial activity against the oral pathogen, Streptococcus mutans. This was carried out by agar diffusion test and quantitative tube dilution test. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS windows version 15 by applying the mean values using analysis of variance (ANOVA) with post-hoc least square differences (LSD) method (α = 0.05). The best toothpaste observed in this study was Sensodyne which had the highest zone of inhibition (18.33±2.52) during agar well diffusion test and was able to inhibit the test organism at the least concentration during quantitative tube dilution test. Results from the study showed that trichosan containing toothpaste formulations were more effective in controlling Streptococcus mutans compared to non-trichosan containing synthetic toothpaste.

TABLE OF CONTENT

Title Page i

Dedication ii

Acknowledgement iii

Table of Contents iv

List of Tables v

Abstract viii

CHAPTER ONE

1.0 Introduction 1

1.1 Aims and objectives 5 

CHAPTER TWO 

2.0 Literature review 6

2.1 Toothpaste 6 

2.2 Dental caries 22

2.3 Mode of Streptococcus mutans transmission 22

2.4 Colonization of Streptococcus mutans 23

CHAPTER THREE 

3.1 Toothpaste sources 25

3.2 Collection of sample 25

3.3 Sterility of materials 25

3.4 Preparation of culture media 25

3.4.1 Preparation of the inoculums size 26

3.5 Identification and characterization of bacteria isolate 26

3.6 Gram staining 26

3.7 Biochemical test 26

3.7.1 Catalase 27 

3.7.2 Coagulase 27

3.8 Antimicrobial activity of formulated toothpaste 27

3.9 Preparation of dentifrice 27

CHAPTER FOUR

 4.0 Results 28

CHAPTER FIVE 

5.1 Conclusion 31

5.2 Recommendation 31

References