Comparative Evaluation of Effects of a Vanilla planifolia Incorporated Toothpaste on Antimicrobial Activity and Buffering Capacity A Randomised Controlled Clinical Trial

Abstract

ABSTRACT newlineBackground newlineMaintenance of Oral hygiene is of crucial importance. Several Oral hygiene newlinemaintenance practices have been followed over the years. Use of toothbrushes newlineand dentifrices is one of the most common practices. Several toothpastes are newlineavailable commercially in both Herbal and Non herbal formulations. The V. newlineplanifolia plant has been extensively used as a flavouring agent. Its antimicrobial newlineproperties have been studied in various fields but not studied or applied in the newlinefield of dentistry. newlineAim newlineThe aim of the present study was to formulate a toothpaste using the Vanilla newlineplanifolia leaf extract and to compare and evaluate its antimicrobial properties and newlineBuffering capacity against a Gold standard toothpaste. newlineMaterials and Methods newlineV.planifolia leaves were obtained from estates in Coorg,Karnataka,India. The newlineleaves were sun dried and then powdered. The ethanolic extract was prepared. newlineThe extract was analysed for several phytochemical compounds and properties. newlinePreliminary microbiological studies were done and after determining optimum newlineconcentration the toothpaste was formulated. It was dispensed to participants newlinewho were eligible as per inclusion criteria. Saliva samples were collected on Day newline1,14 and 28. The samples were analysed for microbial activity by CFU and for pH newlineby electronic pH metre. The results were noted and statistically analysed. newlineResults newlineThere was a 74.9% reduction in S.mutans CFU/ml in Group A- Colgate newlinetoothpaste, as compared to 22.9% in Group B- V.planifolia toothpaste(plt0.05). A newline71.9% reduction in Lactobacillus CFU/ml in Group A- Colgate toothpaste, newlinewhereas 47.7% in Group B- V.planifolia toothpaste. (plt0.05).There is no newlinesignificant difference in the pH between Group A- Colgate toothpaste and Group newlineB- V.planifolia toothpaste at any point during the 28 day followup (pgt0.05). newlineConclusions newlineThe colgate toothpaste showed superior antibacterial properties as compared to newlinethe newly formulated V.planifolia toothpaste.