Abstract
Background: Dental caries is challenging infectious disease, which is wide spread and difficult to control. Although it’s multifactorial, microorganisms especially cariogenic Streptococcus mutans plays a wide role in initiation and progression of dental caries. Objective: The present review mainly aimed to evaluate and assess the antibacterial efficacy of herbal versus conventional products on Streptococcus mutans. Data Sources: A search was execute in electronic database (i.e., PUBMEDCENTRAL, COCHRANE, LILAC, SCIENCEDIRECT, GOOGLE SEARCH) using following search terms alone and in combination by means of PUBMED search builder from January 1990 up to July 2019. Study Eligibility Criteria: Studies were stipulate if they met the following criteria: In vivo studies comparing herbal and conventional products on anticariogenic or antibacterial activity on Streptococcus mutans were selected. Participants and Intervention: Adult patients aged from 18-65 years with dental caries undergoing intervention of herbal products. Study Appraisal and Synthesis Material and Methods: Out of 225 studies collected from databases, only 6 studies were included and other 6 were collected by hand search. Finally 12 included studies were analyzed out of which 5 studies were considered for meta-analysis. Results: The results unveil that natural products exerted virtually homogeneous antibacterial effect against Streptococcus mutans when compared with the counterpart. Limitations: Review was assessing on patients with dental caries and studies previously assessed did not mention about the caries risk. Prevalence varies based on caries risk assessments. Study was concentrating only on single species Streptococcus mutans. But ideally caries is multifactorial. Conclusion: Although natural products were effective, the present systematic review does not furnish concrete evidence to a show increased antibacterial efficacy of natural products as compared to conventional products. Keywords Antibiotics, Chlorhexidine, Dental Caries, Herbal, Streptococcus mutans.
Highlights
Dental caries is a dynamic phenomenon, resulting in the localized dissolution and destruction of dental hard tissues, by acidic byproducts, resulted from bacterial fermentation of carbohydrates [1]
The purpose of this review is to evaluate the antibacterial efficacy of natural products versus conventional products against Streptococcus mutans (Table I)
Two studies established the effect of Triphala on Streptococcus mutans by comparing its antibacterial efficacy with chlorhexidine
Summary
Dental caries is a dynamic phenomenon, resulting in the localized dissolution and destruction of dental hard tissues, by acidic byproducts, resulted from bacterial fermentation of carbohydrates [1]. Streptococcus mutans are highly acidogenic and acid tolerant [4,5,6] They serve as a key contributor for the caries progression [4]. Current caries combating strategies concentrate on usage of broad-spectrum antimicrobials for therapeutic advantage [8]. Literature favors a wide range of natural plant extracts exhibiting antimicrobial properties and therapeutic benefits [11,12] Considering this fact, many clinicians have shifted their interest. Adjunctive aids including chemical plaque controlling methods aid in better plaque removal [14] Considering all these facts, the present review was done to exploit and compare the benefits of various herbal formulations in reducing Streptococcus mutans levels in adult population
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