Antibacterial activity of chewing stick, dental powder and toothpastes sold in Umuahia, Abia State, Nigeria

Aims: To determine and compare the antimicrobial activity of chewing stick Salvadora persica (Miswak), dental powder and toothpastes sold in Umuahia, Abia state Nigeria against selected oral bacteria (Streptococcus spp, Staphylococcus spp, Porphyromona spp and Lactobacillus spp). Method: The antimicrobial activity of chewing stick Salvadora persica (Miswak) extracts (ethanol and aqueous), two dental powder (Agnes nwamma and N-sol) and five toothpastes brand (Close-Up, Oral-B, Colgate, MacClean and Pepsodent) was investigated against selected test organisms (Streptococcus spp, Staphylococcus spp, Porphyromona spp and Lactobacillus spp) that cause dental caries. This was carried out at different concentrations (500 mg/ml, 250 mg/ml, 125 mg/ml and 62.5 mg/ml). Results: Among the chewing stick extracts, the ethanol extract showed more antimicrobial efficacy than the aqueous extract. Agnes nwamma dental powder showed more efficacy than N-sol dental powder. Among the toothpastes, Close-Up showed more efficacy than the other toothpastes. The antimicrobial activity observed majorly depend on the concentrations; the higher the concentration, the higher the efficacy. In the overall comparison between the chewing stick, dental powder and toothpastes, the toothpastes with the exception of MacClean tend to be a bit more efficacious than the dental powder and chewing stick. The dental powder and chewing stick extracts also showed a good antimicrobial activity. Conclusion: This work suggests that the toothpastes, dental powder and chewing stick are effective against oral pathogens. Chewing stick and dental powder can be used by families that cannot afford toothpastes.