Effect of commercial herbal toothpastes and mouth rinses on the prevention of enamel demineralization using a microcosm biofilm model

Abstract

This work evaluated the effects of commercial toothpastes and mouth rinses containing natural/herbal agents on biofilm viability, extracellular polysaccharide (EPS) production and on enamel demineralization in vitro. Microcosm biofilm was produced on bovine enamel for 5 days and treated daily with: Orgânico natural^® (toothpaste/mouth rinse), Boni Natural Menta & Malaleuca^® (toothpaste/mouth rinse), Propolis & Myrrh^® (toothpaste), Colgate Total 12 Clean Mint^® (toothpaste, positive control), Malvatricin^® Plus (mouth rinse), PerioGard^® (mouth rinse, positive control) or PBS (negative control). Tom's Propolis & Myrrh^® and Colgate Total 12^® toothpastes and Malvatricin^® Plus and PerioGard^® mouth rinses significantly reduced biofilm viability (p < 0.05). Only PerioGard^® had significant effects on biofilm thickness and EPS. Despite the indication that Tom's Propolis & Myrrh^® significantly reduced lesion depth, only Colgate Total 12^® significantly reduced mineral loss. Malvatricin^® Plus significantly reduced mineral loss and lesion depth, as did PerioGard^®. Some herbal products, Malvatricin^® Plus and Tom's Propolis & Myrrh^®, showed anticaries effects.

Keywords: Natural agents; dental caries; enamel; microcosm biofilm; mouthwash; toothpaste.