Anti microbial effect of prebiotic containing tooth paste against streptococcus mutans and lactobacillus: An invitro evaluation

: To evaluate the antimicrobial efficacy of three commercially available toothpastes which are non-fluoridated, fluoridated and the one containing prebiotic ingredient on s and .: Antimicrobial activities of prebiotic, fluoridated, non-fluoridated toothpastes were assessed at different concentrations (100ug, 200ug, 300ug and 400ug). Since prebiotic toothpaste had other proven antimicrobial agents, 100% inulin extract from chicory (prebiotic) was assessed for its antimicrobial efficacy at varying concentrations. Antimicrobial property was evaluated by determining the zone of inhibition using agar well diffusion method on Luria Bertani (LB) broth media for and MRS broth media forL.plantarum. 100ul of inoculums of S.mutans and L.plantarum was poured on to the agar plates respectively. Five wells measuring 0.5cm was made, dentifrice at varying concentration i.e; 100ug, 200ug, 300ug and 400ug was loaded into respective wells. 50ul of DMSO was loaded in the well at the centre as control and incubated at 37°C for 24hrs. : All the three tested toothpastes had significant antimicrobial activity against S.mutans and L.plantarum. The highest antimicrobial activity was exhibited by toothpaste containing prebiotic ingredient with mean zone of inhibition of (18.5+/-0.5) and (20.0+/-1) at 400ug against S.mutans and L.plantarum. There was no significant difference in antimicrobial activity of fluoridated and non-fluoridated toothpastes against S.mutans at 400ug (P=1), but there was a significant difference for L.plantarum at 400ug (P<0.001). Antimicrobial activity increased at higher concentrations for all the three tested toothpastes and for 100% Inulin extract. : All the three tested toothpaste were effective against S.mutans and L.plantarum at varying concentrations, but toothpaste containing prebiotic ingredient was most effective in inhibition of both the micro-organisms.