Dental caries is one of the most important problems in public health because of its ubiquitous ness in civilized populations. The prevalence of dental caries in industrialized countries like India is on the rise. As the treatment is very costly and requires a lot of manpower, the prevention at the primary level is the solution of choice. Streptococcus mutans, Actinomyces naeslundii and Actinomyces visosus are usually associated with dental caries. It is anticipated that plants can provide potential bioactive compounds for the development of new ‘leads’ to combat pathogens. This line of research in particular has attracted a great deal of attention. Effective antimicrobial agents from plant against these oral pathogens could play an important part in the prevention of dental caries. However, many attempts for prevention of dental caries were of no practical use up to the present. Antibiotics such as penicillin and erythromycin have been reported to effectively prevent dental caries in animal and humans but they are never used clinically because of many adverse effects such as hypersensitivity reaction, supra infections and teeth staining. Furthermore, viridans group streptococci including S. mitis, S. sanguis and S. mutans, the most representative human cariogenic bacteria are moderately resistant to antibiotics. These drawbacks justify further research and development of natural antibacterials that are safe for the host or specific for oral pathogens. Plant derived drugs are mainly due to the current widespread belief that “Green medicine” is safe and more dependable than the costly synthetic drugs, many of which have adverse side effects. Antimicrobial agents will ideally have the following properties:
1).Broad spectrum antimicrobial efficiency,
2).Retain antimicrobial efficiency at low concentrations,
3).fast acting,
4). Non toxic,
5). non irritant,
6).pleasant/neutral odour and taste,
7).Good oral retention properties,
8). not too disruptive to the oral microbial ecology,
9).Globally regulatory approved,
10).Chemically and physically stable,
11).cost effective.
Natural products have been used for thousands of years in folk medicine for dental caries treatment; here I am giving some examples;
The spice extracts, Cinnamon bark oil, Papua mace extract and Clove bud oil were reported to inhibit the growth of many oral bacteria. Green tea extracts which is customarily drunk after every meal in Japan is known to contain several polyphenols that inhibit the growth of S. mutans. The stem, bark, root and young fruits of Melia azadirachta are used as bitter, tonic, antiseptic, astringent and antibacterial, in several indigenous tooth powders, toothpastes, toilet soaps, the extract from various parts of this tree is used. The use of Neem twigs as tooth brush has been endorsed by the dentists to prevent caries. Azadirachta indica mouth wash is reported to inhibit growth of S. mutans and carious lesions. The medicinal virtues of Moringa pterygosperma (Moringaceae) have long been known and appreciated in India, almost all parts of the plant (root, leaves, seeds, flowers) have been used in indigenous system. Seed oil is used externally for relieving pain of joints in gout and rheumatism. The root has been recommended in the treatment of soreness of the mouth and throat and pain in the gum due to dental caries.
Source: google.co.in
