ABSTRACT
Background: Dental caries is the destruction of enamel, dentin, or cementum of teeth due to bacterial activities, which if left untreated can cause considerable pain, discomfort, and treatment costs are very high. Of the oral bacteria, Streptococcus mutans is considered to be causative agent of dental caries in humans. Aim: This study aims at screening the antibacterial potential of available oral hygiene products against S. mutans, the primary etiological agent. Materials and Methods: A selective number of toothpaste and mouth rinse available in the nearby local market was subjected to the study. The experiments were designed in a way to determine which one of these products had the greatest anti-S.mutans activity. Antibiotic sensitivity tests against the pathogenic strains were also conducted. Results and Discussion: Pathogenic strains of S.mutans were isolated from clinical dental specimen and identified using MTCC standard strain No. 890. Of the 86.66% samples which showed positive for S.mutans growth, almost 96% conferred sensitivity to 0.08 mg/ml of penicillin. Among the toothpastes used, A showed the maximum inhibitory activity against S.mutans inhibiting its growth even at a very low concentration of 0.0156 g/ml. Similar results were seen in the case of the mouth rinses used for the study, which showed that N had the most effective activity against S.mutans even at 1:8 dilution. Conclusion: The oral hygiene products containing triclosan proved to be the most effective followed by those containing fluoride. Herbal products showed comparatively lesser activity in inhibiting the growth of S. mutans. Even though there are so many products available to curb the progression of dental caries in the population targeted, there is still an undoubted prevalence and incidence of caries among the general public. The need for a better alternative to help control dental caries is on the rise even today.
Subject(s)
Dental Caries/microbiology , Humans , Microbial Sensitivity Tests/methods , Mouthwashes/therapeutic use , Oral Hygiene/instrumentation , Oral Hygiene/methods , Patients , Streptococcus mutans/pathogenicity , Toothpastes/therapeutic useABSTRACT
Objetivo: A proposta deste estudo foi avaliar a apresentação comercial de 15 escovas dentais destinadas ao público infantil. Metodologia: As escovas foram adquiridas em diferentes pontos de venda na cidade de Belo Horizonte, MG. Foram avaliados: fabricante, dureza das cerdas, instruções sobre o uso do produto, indicação de idade, tempo de uso, desenhos de personagens infantis, selo da Associação Brasileira de Odontologia (ABO), preço, material utilizado no cabo, comprimento das cerdas (mm) e presença de corante nas cerdas. Resultados: Um total de 87% das escovas informava sobre a necessidade de troca a cada 3 meses, 73% instruíam sobre uso, 47% possuíam o selo da ABO, 60% apresentavam desenhos infantis e 73% possuíam cerdas de 10 mm de comprimento. O preço variou entre R$1,00 a R$8,55. Conclusão: Os fabricantes utilizaram estratégias publicitárias para atrair as crianças e motivar o consumo, mas muitas escovas não apresentaram informações importantes como selo da ABO, instruções de uso, tempo de uso e idade indicada. O reforço e a orientação do dentista são fundamentais para motivar o paciente sobre a higiene bucal adequada.
Purpose: This study aimed to evaluate the commercial characteristics of 15 dental toothbrushes used by children. Methods: Toothbrushes were purchased in different locations of Belo Horizonte city, MG. Collected data included: manufacturer, instructions for use, indication of age, expiration date, decorative characters, quality control stamp by the Brazilian Dental Association (ABO), price, handle material, bristle length (mm), color, and presence of bristles with color change. Results: Toothbrushes displayed information to change toothbrush every three months (87%), instructions for use (73%), ABO stamp (47%), decorative characters (60%), and 10mm length bristles (73%). Prices varied from R$1,00 to R$8,55. Conclusion: The manufacturers used commercial appeal strategies to attract consumers and motivate sales. However, many toothbrushes did not show important information such as the ABO stamp, instructions for use and age recommendation. The dentist should motivate and instruct patients for an ideal oral hygiene protocol.