A Study on Emergence of Antibiotic Resistance in Streptococcus Mutans and their Effective Control using Medicinal Plants and Spices

Abstract

Dental caries also called as tooth decay is huge problem worldwide. During this process of tooth decay the surface of the teeth becomes weaker and makes a pore on the enamel layer due to demineralization. This is due to the fermentation products of bacteria. Streptococcus mutans and Streptococcus sorbinus are major counter parts in the formation of dental caries along with other oral bacteria. The increasing bacterial drug resistance to commercially available antibiotics is a severe problem. To combat this problem alternate therapy is required. In search for this several researchers are looking for traditional medicinal plants and plant products as these are affluent resource of phytochemicals. There is a need of technology and methodology for plant profiling to come up with therapeutically useful active pharma ingredients. The present study was undertaken to unearth active chemicals form medicinal plants and spices which could be used to treat emerging multi-drug resistant (MDR).