Comparative Evaluation of Anti-microbial Activity of Herbal, Homeopathic, and Conventional Dentifrices Against Oral Microflora Using the Disc Diffusion Method: An In Vitro Study.

Aim To assess the antimicrobial activity of herbal, homeopathic, and conventional dentifrices against oral microorganisms. Methodology Mueller Hilton agar was used to cultivate distinct strains of Streptococcus mutans and Enterococcus faecalis, whereas Candida albicans was cultured on a potato dextrose agar medium. Diffusion ratios of 1:5, 1:10, and 1:15 were obtained by diluting 1 gram of each dentifrice (KP Namboodiri, Homeodent, and Colgate Strong Teeth) in 4 ml, 9 ml, and 14 ml of distilled water, respectively. The culture medium was filled with sterile discs. Twenty µl of each dilution of prepared dentifrice formulations were incorporated using a micropipette. The agar plates were incubated for 24 hours at 37ºC. Result The findings indicate that there was a higher zone of inhibition against Streptococcus mutans with herbal dentifrice at 10 mm, 8 mm, and 6.5 mm, followed by conventional dentifrice at 10 mm, 7.5 mm, and 7 mm, and the lowest with homeopathic dentifrice at 8 mm, 7 mm, and 7 mm at 1:5, 1:10 and 1:15 dilutions, respectively. Conventional dentifrice was found to inhibit Enterococcus faecalis at 9 mm, 8 mm, and 7 mm with 1:5, 1:10, and 1:15 dilutions followed by herbal dentifrice at 9 mm, 7 mm with 1:5, 1:10 dilutions, and no inhibition at 1:15 dilution. In contrast, homeopathic dentifrice displayed no inhibition at 1:5, 1:10, and 1:15 dilutions. Neither homeopathic nor conventional dentifrices inhibited Candida albicans, but herbal dentifrices showed a 10 mm zone of inhibition at 1:10 dilution. Conclusion Conventional and herbal dentifrices were found to be more effective against Streptococcus mutans than the homeopathic dentifrice used in the study, whereas herbal dentifrice was more effective against Candida albicans when compared to conventional and homeopathic dentifrices.

Antibacterial effects of dentifrices against Streptococcus mutans in children: a comparative in vitro study.

Fluoridated dentifrices have antibacterial effects on children's teeth. On the other hand, the side effects encountered with the use of them have led researchers to look for safe alternatives. This study aimed to determine the antibacterial effect of different commercially available fluoride-free dentifrices on Streptococcus mutans (S. mutans) in comparison with different concentrations of fluoridated dentifrices. Study groups comprised of fluoride-free dentifrices, which contain Probiotic (Activated Charcoal Probiotic Dentifrice-Group P), Aloe Vera-Group AV and Salivary Proteins-Group SP. Fluoridated dentifrices containing 1450 ppm fluoride-Control Group 1 and 500 ppm fluoride-Control Group 2 served as control groups. Antibacterial activity was assessed by Minimum Inhibitory Concentrations and agar well diffusion assays on S. mutans. Biofilm inhibition assay was performed with dentifrices, which had antibacterial activities, and a negative control phosphate-buffered saline (Group PBS) on sterile hydroxyapatite discs against S. mutans. Statistical evaluation was performed. Only group AV showed an antibacterial effect on S. mutans, while control groups showed a similar antibacterial effect. The mean number of viable bacteria present in S. mutans biofilm in Control Group 1 and 2 and Group AV were statistically significantly lower than that in Group PBS, but there were no statistically significant differences between Control Groups and Group AV. Antibacterial activity of commercial dentifrices against S. mutans may be exerted by antibacterial components other than fluoride. Aloe vera-containing toothpaste showed an antibacterial effect on S. mutans, although not as much as the fluoride-containing toothpastes in the control groups. However, further in vivo and long-term studies are required.

Prevention of Dental Caries: A Review on the Improvements of Toothpaste Formulations from 1900 to 2023.

Modern toothpastes are complex formulations with various ingredients. The aim of this study was to analyze the improvement of toothpaste formulations from 1900 to 2023 focusing on active ingredients with remineralizing, antibacterial, or plaque-removing effects, and to discuss their influence on caries prevention. For this, worldwide patent applications were searched using the international database Espacenet from the European Patent Office. Additionally, toothpaste products were searched using the Mintel product database from 1996 to 2023. The searched ingredients were (in alphabetical order): calcium carbonate, calcium phosphates, hydrated silica, sodium fluoride, sodium lauryl sulfate, triclosan, xylitol, and zinc salts as they are known from the scientific literature to be remineralizing or antibacterial/antiplaque agents. It was shown that the number of patent applications containing these ingredients significantly increased since the 1970s. As these ingredients have remineralizing, antibacterial, or plaque-removing effects, they all can contribute to caries prevention. In conclusion, and within the limitations of this approach, this study shows that toothpaste formulations have greatly improved over the past decades by using various active anticaries ingredients.

Interactions and effects of a stannous-containing sodium fluoride dentifrice on oral pathogens and the oral microbiome.

Numerous studies have investigated the effects of stannous ions on specific microbes and their efficacy in reducing dental plaque. Nonetheless, our understanding of their impact on the oral microbiome is still a subject of ongoing exploration. Therefore, this study sought to evaluate the effects of a stannous-containing sodium fluoride dentifrice in comparison to a zinc-containing sodium fluoride dentifrice and a control group on intact, healthy oral biofilms. Utilizing the novel 2bRAD-M approach for species-resolved metagenomics, and FISH/CLSM with probes targeting periodontal and caries associated species alongside Sn2+ and Zn2+ ions, we collected and analyzed in situ biofilms from 15 generally healthy individuals with measurable dental plaque and treated the biofilms with dentifrices to elucidate variations in microbial distribution. Although significant shifts in the microbiome upon treatment were not observed, the use of a stannous-containing sodium fluoride dentifrice primarily led to an increase in health-associated commensal species and decrease in pathogenic species. Notably, FISH/CLSM analysis highlighted a marked reduction in representative species associated with periodontitis and caries following treatment with the use of a stannous-containing sodium fluoride dentifrice, as opposed to a zinc-containing sodium fluoride dentifrice and the control group. Additionally, Sn2+ specific intracellular imaging reflected the colocalization of Sn2+ ions with P. gingivalis but not with other species. In contrast, Zn2+ ions exhibited non-specific binding, thus suggesting that Sn2+ could exhibit selective binding toward pathogenic species. Altogether, our results demonstrate that stannous ions could help to maintain a healthy oral microbiome by preferentially targeting certain pathogenic bacteria to reverse dysbiosis and underscores the importance of the continual usage of such products as a preventive measure for oral diseases and the maintenance of health.

Efficacy of a stannous fluoride dentifrice for relieving dentinal hypersensitivity in Chinese population: an 8-week randomized clinical trial.

OBJECTIVES: To compare the effectiveness of using a 0.454% stannous fluoride-containing dentifrice twice daily in relieving dentinal hypersensitivity (DH) in a Chinese population. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a single-centre, randomized, controlled, examiner-blind, three-treatment-arm, parallel-group study in participants with clinically diagnosed DH. Subjects who met inclusion criteria (n = 197) were randomly allocated into 3 groups: test group (n = 66)-using a 0.454% stannous fluoride-containing dentifrice twice daily; positive control group (n = 64)-using a 5.0% calcium sodium phosphosilicate-containing dentifrice twice daily; negative control group (n = 67)-using a 1150 ppm of NaF dentifrice twice daily. Status of DH was assessed at week 4 and week 8 by the same independent examiner. Changes from baseline in Schiff sensitivity score, tactile threshold and Dentine Hypersensitivity Experience Questionnaire (DHEQ) score were analysed using analysis of covariance models. The DHEQ evaluated subject-perceived oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL). RESULTS: Statistically significant improvements in mean Schiff scores (p < 0.0001 for all products at Weeks 4 and 8), tactile threshold (p < 0.0001 for test and negative control at Weeks 4 and 8: Week 4 p = 0.0040 and Week 8 p < 0.0001 for positive control) and all DHEQ scores (p < 0.01 for all groups) were observed. No statistically significant differences were observed in the adjusted mean between all dentifrices at both timepoints, potentially driven by a placebo effect. Forty-two treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs) were reported (n = 32 subjects), with 2 serious AEs (n = 1) in the test group. TEAEs were not considered treatment-related. CONCLUSIONS: All groups demonstrated statistically significant improvements in Schiff score, tactile threshold and OHRQoL. However, due to a possible placebo effect in the negative control, there were no statistically significant differences between the dentifrices. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: This study adds to the growing research exploring why the placebo effect is a common phenomenon in DH studies. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT04950465.

Remineralization potential of strontium-doped nano-hydroxyapatite dentifrice and casein phosphopeptide-amorphous calcium phosphate cream on white spot lesions in enamel following orthodontic debonding - a randomized controlled trial.

Aim and Objective: This study was intended to compare and determine the potency of strontium-doped nano-hydroxyapatite paste against a topical cream containing casein phosphopeptide-amorphous calcium phosphate and a regular dentifrice for remineralization of white spot lesions of enamel following orthodontic debonding. Methods: Ninety individuals with white spot lesions on their enamel who visited the orthodontic department for de-bonding were selected for the research. Patients were randomly assigned to three distinct groups with each group consisting of 30 patients. Group 1 served as the control and received regular dentifrice, Group 2 received strontium-doped nano-hydroxyapatite paste, and Group 3 received casein phosphopeptide-amorphous calcium phosphate topical cream. Patients were instructed to locally apply a specified amount of the prescribed preparation twice daily for six weeks. The data were analysed using the statistical programme SPSS 22.0 (SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL, USA), and the level of significance had been set at p < 0.05. Results: Group 1 did not show any change in the enamel following the application of toothpaste. Both Group 2 and 3 demonstrated higher post-treatment scores, indicating effective remineralization potential (p < 0.001). However, Group 2 (strontium-doped nano-hydroxyapatite paste) displayed significantly greater remineralization capacity when compared to group 3 (casein phosphopeptide-amorphous calcium phosphate topical cream). Conclusion: Compared to conventional dentifrice and casein phosphopeptide-amorphous calcium phosphate paste, strontium-doped nano-hydroxyapatite preparation demonstrated greater enamel remineralization of the white spot lesions and favourable surface alterations in the enamel surface. strontium-doped nano-hydroxyapatite can be utilised safely and efficiently to treat early caries and remineralise white spot lesions on the enamel.

Gingival hypersensitivity reactions to toothpastes: A case series and scoping review.

BACKGROUND: Hypersensitivity reactions to toothpastes are rare. The objective of this study was to present the authors' clinical cases in the past 10 years and perform a scoping review of gingival hypersensitivity responses to toothpastes. TYPES OF STUDIES REVIEWED: The authors reviewed records of documented gingival hypersensitivity reactions to dentifrices at the Postgraduate Clinic of Oral Medicine, Complutense University, Madrid, Spain, from January 2013 through December 2022. Furthermore, the authors conducted a search in PubMed with no date limit for articles reporting these hypersensitivity responses up through October 18, 2023. RESULTS: Eleven cases were collected from the clinic. Eight gingival hypersensitivity reactions occurred in women, and 6 were associated with cinnamon. The most frequent lesions diagnosed were red gingiva. The discontinuation of the toothpaste led to the disappearance of the lesions. The search yielded 643 references. Thirteen articles were included in the scoping review, all of them case series and case reports, reporting 32 cases. Lesions affected middle-aged women most frequently, the most common hypersensitivity reaction was gingival redness, and the cases implicated toothpastes containing cinnamon and herbal composition. PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS: This study provides clues for diagnosing and treating hypersensitivity reactions to toothpastes, which may improve the identification, management, and reporting of these cases.

Chemical and Ultrastructural Characterization of Dentin Treated with Remineralizing Dentifrices.

The aim of this study is to investigate dentin chemical and ultrastructural changes upon exposure to remineralizing dentifrices. Dentin disks were obtained from permanent human molars and treated for 7 days with the dentifrices: (1) C group-control (no dentifrice); (2) S group-Sensodyne Repair & Protect; (3) D group-Dentalclean Daily Regenerating Gel; and (4) DB group-D group + Dentalclean regenerating booster. Afterwards, samples were submitted to an additional 7 days of toothbrushing associated with daily acidic challenge. Samples were imaged and analyzed (days 1, 7, and 14) for Young's modulus by atomic force microscopy (AFM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and selected area electron diffraction (SAED). SEM and AFM revealed precipitate deposition on dentin surfaces in groups S, D, and DB, formed as early as day 1. Surface elemental analysis showed a Si increase on all brushed surfaces. Similar surface morphology was maintained after the acidic challenge period. Bright-field TEM/SAED revealed the formation of nanocrystalline hydroxyapatite inside the dentin tubules of groups S, D, and DB after day 7. Group C presented a gradual reduction of Young's modulus from days-1-14, whereas all remaining groups had increased values. All evaluated dentifrices led to successful formation of hydroxyapatite and increased dentin stiffness.

Impact of toothbrush head configuration and dentifrice abrasivity on non-carious cervical lesions in-vitro.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of toothbrush head configuration and dentifrice slurry abrasivity on the development of simulated non-carious cervical lesions (NCCLs) in vitro. METHODS: Extracted premolars were randomly allocated into 15 groups (n = 16) generated by the association between toothbrush head configuration (flat-trimmed, rippled, cross-angled/multilevel/rubbers added, cross-angled/multilevel/flex head, feathered) and dentifrice slurry abrasivity (low/medium/high). Teeth were mounted on acrylic blocks and had their roots partially covered with acrylic resin, leaving 2-mm root surfaces exposed. Toothbrushing was performed for 35,000 and 65,000 double-strokes. Specimens were analyzed using non-contact profilometry for dental volume loss (mm3) and lesion morphology. Data was analyzed using ANOVA with pairwise comparisons and Kruskal-Wallis tests. RESULTS: The two-way interaction between toothbrush head configuration and slurry abrasivity was significant (p = 0.02). At 35,000 strokes, the flat-trimmed and cross-angled/multilevel/rubbers added toothbrushes caused the highest loss, when associated to the high-abrasive slurry (p<0.05); whereas cross-angled/multilevel/flex head showed the least loss, when associated to the low-abrasive (p<0.05). At 65,000, more dental loss was observed for all toothbrushes when associated to the high-abrasive slurry, with flat-trimmed causing the highest loss (p < 0.05). Lower dental loss rates were observed for cross-angled/multilevel/flex head associated to the low-abrasive slurry when compared to the other toothbrushes (p < 0.05), except to feathered (p = 0.14) and rippled (p = 0.08). Flat lesions (mean internal angle ± standard-deviation: 146.2°± 16.8) were mainly associated with low-abrasive slurry, while wedge-shaped lesions (85.8°± 18.8) were more frequent with medium- and high-abrasive slurries. CONCLUSION: The development, progression and morphology of simulated NCCLs were modulated by both toothbrush head configuration and dentifrice abrasivity. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Dental professionals should consider both the type of toothbrush and dentifrice abrasivity in the management plan of patients at risk of developing NCCLs.

Relationship between 1-, 3-, and 6-Month Gingival Bleeding Outcomes.

INTRODUCTION: Results from systematic reviews and meta-analyses show generally consistent antigingivitis effects between 3- and 6-mo observation time points with twice-daily use of stannous fluoride (SnF2) dentifrice. However, the relationship between 1-, 3-, and 6-mo gingivitis responses has not been investigated. METHODS: This pooled analysis was conducted to understand the relationship of 1-, 3-, and 6-mo gingival bleeding outcomes. Number of bleeding sites, derived from Löe-Silness Gingival Index (LSGI) or Gingival Bleeding Index, was identified as the primary end point of the analysis for the biological and clinical relevance. Randomized, double-blinded, controlled clinical studies meeting the following predefined selection criteria were identified: 1) published and unpublished gingivitis clinical trials conducted from 1995 to 2022 comparing efficacy of 0.454% SnF2 dentifrices to negative controls (sodium fluoride or sodium monofluorophosphate dentifrice) and 2) studies with a 3-mo assessment and at least a 1- or 6-mo assessment. RESULTS: The search resulted in ten 6-mo and fourteen 3-mo studies meeting selection criteria. A mixed-effects model was performed on the pooled data to assess gingival bleeding outcomes across time. The bleeding efficacy significantly increased between months 1 and 3 (P < 0.0001) and plateaued between months 3 and 6 (P = 0.007), supporting the fact that bleeding reduction relative to control established by 1 mo will increase and be maintained through 3 and 6 mo (R2 = 0.857). In addition, gingival bleeding and gingivitis efficacy, as measured by LSGI, were found to be highly correlated (R2 = 0.874). CONCLUSION: A clear relationship has been demonstrated between 1-, 3-, and 6-mo gingival bleeding outcomes in gingivitis clinical studies comparing SnF2 dentifrice to negative control dentifrice. These findings have important implications to the dental practice and scientific research as antigingivitis efficacy evaluations can be observed as early as 1 mo and are consistent with those seen at 3 or 6 mo. KNOWLEDGE TRANSFER STATEMENT: Outcomes from this investigation indicate that the clinical evaluation of antigingivitis efficacy at 1 mo is predictive of that at 3 and 6 mo, supporting studies of 1-mo duration as a viable method of knowledge acquisition. This more efficient, expedited research design has positive implications for patient care, clinical practice guidelines, protocols, and policies.

Impact of the uninstructed use of a herbal, ayurvedic toothpaste on parameters of gingival health in periodontal aftercare patients: A randomized, double-blinded, two-arm parallel-group study.

AIM: The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of the uninstructed use of a toothpaste containing herbal ayurvedic ingredients on parameters of gingival health in a cohort of periodontal aftercare patients affected by gingival inflammation compared to the use of a standard, non-herbal toothpaste. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The monocentric, randomized, double-blinded, two-arm parallel-group intervention was performed in a cohort of 88 periodontal aftercare patients with clinical signs of gingival inflammation. At baseline, bleeding on probing (BoP), gingival index (GI) and Quigley-Hein plaque index (QHI) were recorded. Subsequently, the study patients were randomly provided with a herbal ayurvedic toothpaste (n = 44) or a conventional, non-ayurvedic control toothpaste (n = 44) and without additional oral hygiene training instructed to use it 2× daily for the next 28 days. On day 28, BoP, GI and QHI were recorded again. RESULTS: At baseline, there were no significant differences between both groups. On day 28, mean GI and BoP scores were significantly lower (p < 0.001) compared to baseline in both groups. Differences between the groups could not be verified. Mean QHI scores did not change significantly between day 0 and day 28 in both groups. CONCLUSIONS: The impact of uninstructed toothbrushing with an ayurvedic toothpaste on the manifestation of gingival inflammation in periodontal aftercare patients is not significantly different to the use of a conventional, non-herbal toothpaste.

Amount of toothpaste used by dental students.

PURPOSE: This study analyzed associations of cumulative learning, demographic characteristics, fluoride content, and toothbrush head size with the amount of toothpaste used by dental students. METHODS: Students in the third and fifth year of dental school were recruited. Each participant was asked to dispense three toothpastes (pediatric, regular fluoride, and high fluoride) on five toothbrushes (rotation-oscillation, sonic, manual pediatric, and two manual adult toothbrushes). The length and weight of the toothpaste dispensed were recorded. The data were evaluated by nonparametric correlation analysis (P < 0.05). RESULTS: Eighty-one students (third year = 42; fifth year = 39; mean age: 26.2 ± 5.3 years) participated in the study. More toothpaste was dispensed by third-year students than by fifth-year students (weight: P = 0.014; length: P = 0.037). Men dispensed more toothpaste than did women (weight: P < 0.001; length: P = 0.042). Participants with higher educational attainment dispensed less toothpaste (weight: P < 0.001; length: P < 0.001). The type of toothbrush was associated with the weight of toothpaste dispensed (P < 0.001). Toothbrush head size was inversely associated with the length of toothpaste dispensed (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: The amount of toothpaste used by dental students was associated with cumulative learning, educational attainment, sex, and toothbrush head size but not with the fluoride content of the toothpaste.

Evaluation of the efficacy of a charcoal-based tooth whitening dentifrice on coffee stains: an in vitro study.

Background: Charcoal-based preparations have recently gained popularity, particularly in oral hygiene products such as tooth whitening dentifrices, owing to their abrasive and adsorptive properties. The present in vitro study evaluates the efficacy of a charcoal-based tooth whitening dentifrice compared with a non-charcoal-based whitening dentifrice in removing coffee stains on tooth surfaces. Methods: Thirty-three human extracted tooth specimens were randomly assigned to 1 of 3 study groups: Group 1 (charcoal-based whitening dentifrice [CBWD]), Group 2 (non-charcoal-based whitening dentifrice [NCBWD]), and Group 3 (distilled water [DW]). All tooth specimens were immersed in a prepared coffee extract for 4 weeks to facilitate staining and then mounted on blocks where they were brushed with an electric toothbrush daily for 8 seconds with 1 of the 2 allocated dentifrices or with DW for 4 weeks following staining. Spectrophotometric analysis was conducted using the CIELAB system to measure the L*, a*, and b* values at 3 time points: before staining, after staining, and following the brushing protocol. These values were used to calculate the colour change (ΔE) between time points. Results: Following the coffee staining, the tooth samples' whiteness (ΔL) decreased with the overall colour change (ΔE). Next, there was a significant improvement in the degree of tooth whiteness (ΔL) values following the brushing protocol in all 3 groups (p = 0.003), with the greatest improvement occurring in the CBWD group. However, the overall colour change (ΔE) was not significantly different between the groups. Conclusion: CBWD, NCBWD, and DW were effective in removing coffee stains from the tooth surface. However, the amount of colour change (ΔE) produced by CBWD was not significantly different from NCBWD or DW.

Introduction: Les préparations à base de charbon ont récemment gagné en popularité, en particulier dans les produits d'hygiène buccale comme les dentifrices blanchissants, en raison de leurs propriétés d'abrasion et d'adsorption. La présente étude in vitro évalue l'efficacité d'un dentifrice blanchissant à base de charbon par rapport à un dentifrice blanchissant sans charbon pour éliminer les taches de café sur la surface des dents. Méthodes: Trente-trois spécimens de dents humaines extraites ont été répartis aléatoirement dans 3 groupes d'étude : groupe 1 (dentifrice blanchissant à base de charbon [DBBC]), groupe 2 (dentifrice blanchissant sans charbon [DSC]) et groupe 3 (eau distillée [ED]). Tous les spécimens de dents ont été immergés dans une préparation de café pendant 4 semaines pour permettre la coloration, puis montés sur des blocs où ils ont été brossés quotidiennement à la brosse à dents électrique pendant 8 secondes avec l'un des deux dentifrices testés ou avec de l'eau distillée pour une période de 4 semaines après la coloration. Une analyse spectrophotométrique a été effectuée à l'aide du système CIELAB pour mesurer les valeurs L*, a* et b* à 3 moments précis : avant la coloration, après la coloration et après le protocole de brossage. Ces valeurs ont été utilisées pour calculer le changement de couleur (ΔE) entre les moments précis. Résultats: Après la coloration du café, la blancheur des échantillons de dents (ΔL) a diminué en raison du changement global de couleur (ΔE). Ensuite, il y a eu une amélioration significative du degré de blancheur des dents (ΔL) suivant le protocole de brossage dans les 3 groupes (p = 0,003), la plus grande amélioration ayant eu lieu dans le groupe DBBC. Toutefois, le changement global de couleur (ΔE) n'était pas significativement différent d'un groupe à l'autre. Conclusion: Les DBBC, DSC et l'ED se sont montrés efficaces pour éliminer les taches de café sur la surface des dents. Toutefois, le changement de couleur (ΔE) produit par le DBBC n'était pas significativement différent de celui produit par le DSC ou l'ED.

Evaluation of Anti-plaque and Anti-gingivitis Efficacy of Two Commercially Available Herbal and Non-herbal Toothpastes.

BACKGROUND:  Plaque-associated oral disease affects a considerable portion of the population and is considered one of the major causes of tooth loss. The presence of plaque may be the reason for dental caries, gingivitis, periodontal problems, and halitosis. Many mechanical aids are used to control plaque, including toothbrushes, dental floss, mouth rinses, and dentifrices, and the most effective method of controlling gingivitis is supragingival plaque control. AIM AND OBJECTIVE: To evaluate and compare the anti-plaque and anti-gingivitis efficacy of commercially available herbal toothpaste (Meswak) and non-herbal toothpaste (Pepsodent). MATERIALS AND METHOD: 50 subjects aged between 10 and 15 years with a full complement of dentition were included in the study. The two toothpastes were provided to the subjects in plain white tubes by the investigator. Subjects were instructed to brush their teeth twice daily using the given toothpaste for 21 days. Plaque and gingival scores on days 0, 7, and 21 were recorded, and the data were subjected to statistical analysis. RESULT: At the end of the 21-day study, there was a statistically significant difference between the groups for plaque and gingival scores. CONCLUSION: The plaque and gingival scores were significantly reduced throughout the study in both groups. In comparison, the herbal dentifrices show more effectiveness in reducing plaque and gingival scores, but no statistically significant difference was seen between the two groups.

Comparative evaluation of antibacterial efficacy of active oxygen containing versus other dentifrices against Streptococcus mutans count in children with early childhood caries: A clinico-microbiological study.

Background: Fluoridated dentifrices have been used for the prevention of dental caries since ages. However, to avoid the risk of fluorosis, the use of newer nonfluoridated options in dentifrices has shown a great interest in reducing Streptococcus mutans (SM) in early childhood caries (ECC). Aim: The study aimed to evaluate the antimicrobial efficacy of active oxygen (AO)-based dentifrice with amine fluoride (AF)-, sodium monofluorophosphate (SMP)-, herbal (HB)-, and tricalcium phosphate (TCP)-based dentifrices on SM count in children with ECC. Materials and Methods: Two hundred and fifty children aged 3-6 years with def ≥4 were selected and randomly divided into five groups of 50 each, based on the type of dentifrices used; Group I: AO-based, Group II: TCP, Group III: SMP, Group IV: AF, and Group V: HB dentifrice, and were asked to brush twice daily for 15 days. The saliva samples were collected at baseline, and after 15 days, cultured for SM colonies count. Results: Difference in colony-forming units (CFU)/ml between baseline and 15 days was highly significant in all the five groups (P < 0.001). Significant difference was observed in SM count after 15 days between Groups I and IV (P = 0.017), while nonsignificant differences were seen when compared with Groups II, III, and V (P = 0.975, 0.137, and 0.992). Conclusions: All the dentifrices were efficacious in reducing SM count in children with ECC. Although AO dentifrice showed superior results when compared to SMP, TCP, and HB, it did not prove to be superior to AF.

The anti-plaque effect of high concentration sodium bicarbonate dentifrice on plaque formation and gingival inflammation, irrespective to individual polishing technique and plaque quality.

AIM: To assess the anti-plaque effect of a high concentration sodium bicarbonate dentifrice on plaque formation, and gingivitis, as compared to a control toothpaste, irrespective of individual brushing technique and plaque quality. METHODS: The experimental gingivitis model, with a split-mouth design was used to assess the anti-plaque effect of a high concentration sodium bicarbonate dentifrice on plaque formation. By producing individual fitted trays, the toothpaste was applied in the test quadrant and a control dentifrice in the contralateral. The participants used the individual fitted trays for 1 min every morning and evening, for 21 days. In this period, the participants was only allowed to brush the teeth in the opposite jaw, as usual. Twenty healthy individuals successfully completed the study. RESULTS: At 21 days, there was no statistically significant difference between test quadrant and control quadrant with regard to plaque indices, gingival index and number of bleeding sites. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrated that the high concentration sodium bicarbonate dentifrice used did not produce statistically significant anti-plaque effect compared to the control dentifrice, in terms of Plaque- and Gingival Indices, number of bleeding sites or by Quigely and Hein, the Turesky modification Plaque Index, irrespective of brushing technique and individual plaque quality. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Regional Committee for Medical Research and Ethics, South-East Norway in 2021 (REK.2021/370116). CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: NCT05441371 (First registered 09/06/2022, First posted 01/07/2022) ( http://www. CLINICALTRIALS: gov ). (Retrospectively registered).

Occlusion of dentinal tubules on periodontally involved teeth by dentifrice containing stannous fluoride and sodium fluoride.

PURPOSE: This study examined the occlusion effect of a dentifrice containing stannous fluoride (SnF2) and sodium fluoride (NaF) on periodontally involved teeth in comparison with healthy teeth using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) in comparison with a dentifrice containing NaF alone. METHODS: Sixty dentine samples obtained from single-rooted premolars, 15 of them extracted for orthodontic reasons (Group H) and 15 because of periodontal destruction (Group P), were included in the study. Each group of specimens was further divided into subgroups: HC and PC (control), H1 and P1 (treated with SnF2 and NaF), and H2 and P2 (treated with NaF). The samples were brushed twice a day for 7 days, kept in artificial saliva, and examined by SEM. The diameters of open tubules and the numbers of tubules were assessed at ×2,000 magnification. RESULTS: The H and P groups showed similar diameters of open tubules. The numbers of open tubules in Groups H1, P1, H2, and P2 were significantly lower than in Groups HC and PC (P < 0.001), and consistent with the percentages of occluded tubules. Group P1 had the highest percentage of occluded tubules. CONCLUSIONS: Although both dentifrices were found to successfully occlude dentinal tubules, the dentifrice containing SnF2 and NaF provided the highest degree of occlusion in periodontally involved teeth.

Remineralization Strategies for Teeth with Molar Incisor Hypomineralization (MIH): A Literature Review.

Molar incisor hypomineralization (MIH) is a highly prevalent dental developmental disorder with a significant health burden for patients and high treatment needs, yet no comprehensive review article on all remineralization systems as a non-invasive treatment approach for MIH has been published. Typical characteristics of MIH-affected teeth are a lower mineral density and lower hardness compared to healthy teeth leading to sensitivity and loss of function. Thus, the use of formulations with calcium phosphates to remineralize MIH-affected teeth is reasonable. This review presents an up-to-date overview of remineralization studies focusing on active ingredients investigated for remineralization of MIH, i.e., casein phosphopeptide amorphous calcium phosphate (CPP-ACP), casein phosphopeptide amorphous calcium fluoride phosphate (CPP-ACFP), hydroxyapatite, calcium glycerophosphate, self-assembling peptide, and fluoride. Overall, 19 studies (in vitro, in situ, and in vivo) were found. Furthermore, an additional search for studies focusing on using toothpaste/dentifrices for MIH management resulted in six studies, where three studies were on remineralization and three on reduction of sensitivity. Overall, the studies analyzed in this review showed that MIH-affected teeth could be remineralized using calcium phosphate-based approaches. In conclusion, calcium phosphates like CPP-ACP, calcium glycerophosphate, and hydroxyapatite can be used to remineralize MIH-affected teeth. In addition to MIH-remineralization, CPP-ACP and hydroxyapatite also offer relief from MIH-associated tooth sensitivity.

A dentifrice containing salivary enzymes and xylitol exhibits superior antimicrobial activity in vitro against adherent Streptococcus mutans compared to a chlorhexidine dentifrice.

Human saliva contains natural antimicrobial enzymes. In this in-vitro study, we evaluate the antimicrobial activity of a dentifrice containing a salivary enzyme complex (SEC) with xylitol versus a standard 0.12% chlorhexidine (CHX) dentifrice. Adherent cells of Streptococcus gordonii, Strep. mutans, Actinomyces naeslundii, Fusobacterium nucleatum subsp polymorphum, and Corynebacterium matruchotii were exposed to SEC-xylitol and CHX dentifrices for 2 min and viable CFUs were enumerated. Exposure to the SEC-xylitol dentifrice resulted in a significant reduction in bacterial viability, which was greater than that shown by the CHX dentifrice, against all organisms tested. The SEC-xylitol dentifrice also exhibited greater antimicrobial activity against all organsims in well diffusion assays compared to CHX. Dentifrice activity was also evaluated against a three species community of Strep. gordonii, Strep. mutans, and Coryne. matruchotii using bacterial live/dead stain. The SEC-xylitol dentifrice was at least as effective as CHX in removal of the multispecies community. The combination of SEC and xylitol generates a highly effective antimicrobial dentifrice with greater antibacterial activity than a standard 0.12% CHX formulations. SEC and xylitol combinations are worthy of further investigation for routine use and in the management of gingivitis and periodontal disease.

Comparative efficacy of self-administered dentifrices for the management of dentine hypersensitivity - A systematic review and network meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVES: This systematic review with network meta-analysis synthesises available randomised controlled trials evidence concerning efficacy of self-administered dentifrices for management of dentine hypersensitivity (DH) pain. STUDY SELECTION: Following systematic review registration (CRD42019154064), three data bases (MEDLINE, Embase, CENTRAL) were searched to December 2022 for parallel randomised controlled trials conducted in adults diagnosed with DH, using at least two recognised stimuli, assessing the short-term efficacy of home-use dentifrice treatment in reducing pain. Thirty-two studies and 4,638 participants were included. A Network meta-analysis (NMA) approach was used to compare relative effectiveness between interventions. CONCLUSIONS: Twice daily application of self-applied dentifrice containing formulations of stannous, potassium +/- stannous, or arginine can be recommended for the reduction of dentine hypersensitivity pain. There is a need for standardised methodology guideline development to improve the conduct, analysis and reporting of DH clinical studies. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: This is the first comprehensive NMA to be performed, that follows guidelines for conduct of DH trials to determine the efficacy of self-applied dentifrices for the management of dentine hypersensitivity. Indirect comparisons can be made between formulations that have not been compared to one another in randomised controlled trials.