title: Antibacterial activity of fluoride compounds and herbal toothpastes on Streptococcus mutans: an in vitro study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Streptococcus mutans is an important bacterial species implicated in dental caries. This laboratory study compared the antimicrobial activity of a number of fluoride containing and herbal dentifrices and their components against S. mutans.
  
  
  METHODS
  An agar diffusion method was used with Mueller-Hinton agar. Wells were filled with either 10 commercial fluoride or 6 herbal dentifrices, or with solutions of various fluoride compounds, sodium lauryl sulphate, sodium benzoate, chlorhexidine digluconate or triclosan. Diameters of zones of bacterial growth inhibition surrounding the wells were measured using a micrometer.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Significant differences were found for growth inhibition between the 10 fluoridated dentifrices (p < 0.0001), with Colgate Total having the greatest effect. There was not a direct correlation with fluoride type or fluoride concentration. The antibacterial activities of the 6 herbal toothpastes varied, with Herbal Fresh being the strongest. Sodium lauryl sulphate showed strong antimicrobial activity against S. mutans at the levels used in dentifrices.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Antimicrobial activity of commercial dentifrices against S. mutans may be exerted by components other than fluoride. Ingredients such as triclosan and sodium lauryl sulphate have larger antimicrobial effects than fluorides in this model.
authors.affiliation: School of Dentistry, The University of Queensland, Brisbane.
authors.forename: J P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Randall
authors.affiliation: School of Dentistry, The University of Queensland, Brisbane.
authors.forename: W K
authors.initials: WK
authors.lastname: Seow
authors.affiliation: School of Dentistry, The University of Queensland, Brisbane.
authors.forename: L J
authors.initials: LJ
authors.lastname: Walsh
mesh_terms: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local / Q000494:pharmacology; D002710:Chlorhexidine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000494:pharmacology; D003731:Dental Caries / Q000382:microbiology; D005459:Fluorides / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006801:Humans; D008422:Materials Testing; D010710:Phosphates / Q000494:pharmacology; D028321:Plant Preparations / Q000494:pharmacology*; D020160:Sodium Benzoate / Q000494:pharmacology; D012967:Sodium Dodecyl Sulfate / Q000494:pharmacology; D012969:Sodium Fluoride / Q000494:pharmacology; D013295:Streptococcus mutans / Q000187:drug effects*; D013501:Surface-Active Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D014002:Tin Fluorides / Q000494:pharmacology; D014100:Toothpastes / Q000494:pharmacology*; D014260:Triclosan / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local; D010710:Phosphates; D028321:Plant Preparations; D013501:Surface-Active Agents; D014002:Tin Fluorides; D014100:Toothpastes; C012980:fluorophosphate; D012967:Sodium Dodecyl Sulfate; D014260:Triclosan; D012969:Sodium Fluoride; C010882:chlorhexidine gluconate; D020160:Sodium Benzoate; D005459:Fluorides; D002710:Chlorhexidine
keywords: Antibacterial; Streptococcus mutans; fluoride; herbal; toothpaste