Abstract
Globally dental diseases are mainly caused by Streptococcus mutans, it is one of the leading causative agents of dental caries worldwide, because of its resistance to conventional antibacterial agents, alternative therapies are used to control resistance of oral pathogens. This research was done to determine the antibacterial activities of Psidium guajava (guava) and Velvet tamarin (Icheku) chewing sticks on Streptococcus mutans isolated from the oral cavity. The study was conducted in Owerri Imo State Nigeria during November-December period. Phytochemical analysis of the plant extracts was done using appropriate techniques. The procedure used for antimicrobial susceptibility test was disk diffusion method. Serial dilutions of Psidium guajava (guava) and Velvet tamarind (Icheku) extracts were prepared, Muller-Hinton media was used to put together the extract of serial dilutions of Psidium guajava (guava) and Velvet tamarin (Icheku) and a microbiological procedure were used for visually determining the minimum inhibitory concentration as well as minimum bactericidal concentration. Phytochemical evaluation of the plants’ extracts revealed that it contains saponins, tannins, alkaloid, steriods, glycosides and phenol. The results obtained from the antibacterial susceptibility testing of the extracts against Streptococcus mutans showed that the zones of inhibition recorded ranged from 18 mm to 27 mm. Ethanol (Soxhlet) extract of Icheku twig showed no zone of inhibition on the isolated organism. The ethanol (soxhlet) extract of the individual Psidium guajava (guava) and Velvet tamarin (Icheku) has a better antibacterial effect when compared to their aqueous extracts and combined forms. Psidium guajava (Guava) and Velvet tamarin (Icheku) twigs are made up of composite that is active against S. mutans and can be used in oral hygiene. There is a need for further investigation on the plant extracts as the rural poor make use of it because it is cheap, readily available and the rich also use it once they are in the village mostly in Eastern Nigeria. Similarly chewing sticks has been reported to be practiced by 90 of rural population in Nigeria.
Highlights
Introduction60% - 90% of the young people worldwide suffer from dental caries [1]. The scientific name for cavities or tooth decay is dental caries, it is the breakdown of teeth caused by acid made by bacteria, the acid they make destroys the tooth hard tissues (enamel, dentin and cementum)
Nowadays, 60% - 90% of the young people worldwide suffer from dental caries [1]
This research was done to determine the antibacterial activities of Psidium guajava and Velvet tamarin (Icheku) chewing sticks on Streptococcus mutans isolated from the oral cavity
Summary
60% - 90% of the young people worldwide suffer from dental caries [1]. The scientific name for cavities or tooth decay is dental caries, it is the breakdown of teeth caused by acid made by bacteria, the acid they make destroys the tooth hard tissues (enamel, dentin and cementum). Streptococcus mutans is a facultative anaerobic gram positive coccus commonly found in the oral cavity and is a significant contributor to dental caries and the main microorganism associated with caries and dental plaque [4] This organism splits the sucrose in food and uses one of the sugars to build its capsule which sticks tightly to the tooth. In Nigeria Psidium guajava chewing sticks are used in mechanical and chemical cleaning of oral tissue and it is efficient and effective. The teeth cleaned with Psidium guajava chewing sticks are usually devoid of tartar and other stains from the teeth, provide enamel barrier, whitens teeth, mineralize dental tissue, increase salivary flow, fresh and devoid of dental plaques and caries [10]. The present study was set to determine the antibacterial activities of Psidium guajava (guava) and Velvet tamarin (Icheku) chewing sticks on Streptococcus mutans isolated from human mouth
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
