Antimicrobial capacity of Aloe vera and propolis dentifrice against Streptococcus mutans strains in toothbrushes: an in vitro study

J Appl Oral Sci. 2012 Feb;20(1):32-7. doi: 10.1590/s1678-77572012000100007.

Abstract

Objectives: This study evaluated in vitro the efficiency of Aloe vera and propolis dentifrice on reducing the contamination of toothbrush bristles by a standard strain of Streptococcus mutans (ATCC 25175; SM), after toothbrushing.

Material and methods: Fifteen sterile toothbrushes were randomly divided into 5 toothbrushing groups: I (negative control): without dentifrice; II: with fluoridated dentifrice; III: with triclosan and gantrez dentifrice; IV (positive control): without dentifrice and irrigation with 10 mL of 0.12% chlorhexidine gluconate; V: with Aloe vera and propolis dentifrice. In each group, 1 sterile bovine tooth was brushed for 1 min, where the toothbrush bristles were contaminated with 25 µL of SM. After toothbrushing, the bristles were stored in individual test tubes with 3 mL of BHI under anaerobiosis of 37°C for 48 h. Then, they were seeded with sterile swab in triplicate in the Mitis salivarius - Bacitracin culture medium. The samples were kept under anaerobiosis of 37°C for 48 h. Scores were used to count the number of colony forming units (cfu). The results were submitted to the Mann-Whitney statistical test at 5% significance level.

Results: There was statistically significant difference (p<0.05) for the reduction of bristle contamination comparing groups II, III, IV and V to group I.

Conclusions: It may be stated that after toothbrushing, the Aloe vera and propolis dentifrice reduced the contamination of toothbrush bristles by SM, without differentiation from the other chemical agents used.

MeSH terms

  • Aloe*
  • Animals
  • Cattle
  • Colony Count, Microbial
  • Culture Media
  • Dental Devices, Home Care / microbiology*
  • Dentifrices*
  • Propolis*
  • Random Allocation
  • Stem Cells
  • Sterilization / methods*
  • Streptococcus mutans* / growth & development
  • Time Factors
  • Toothbrushing / instrumentation*

Substances

  • Culture Media
  • Dentifrices
  • Propolis