| Summary: | Streptococcus mutans is the most common cariogenic bacteria associated with dental caries. It is believed to be the chief etiologic agent in human dental caries, while, Lactobacillus characteristically cause existing carious lesions to progress, especially those in coronal caries. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the antimicrobial activity of different concentrations of aqueous extracts of cinnamon and garlic on these two oral pathogens. Stimulated saliva was collected from forty two healthy looking subjects aged (18-41 years) from which mutans streptococci and lactobacilli were isolated. The effect of different concentrations on the antimicrobial activity of cinnamon and ginger against Mutans streptococcus and lactobacilli was evaluated using the agar diffusion. The antimicrobial activity as determined by paper disc diffusion method demonstrated that the antimicrobial activity of aqueous extract of cinnamon is more against lactobacilli than its activity against mutant streptococci in especially with high concentrations.These results are the same regarding the antimicrobial activity of aqueous extract of ginger which was more against lactobacilli than its activity against mutant streptococci with all concentrations. Cinnamon and ginger have excellent antimicrobial activity on the growth of Mutans streptococci and lactobacilli, but their effects are more on lactobacilli than mutant streptococci. Cinnamon should be prescribed prior to ginger because it has more antibacterial activity on the growth on both bacteria types even in small concentrations (50mg/ml). Both plants may have potential for use in mouthwash for preventing dental caries.
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