ANTIBACTERIAL POTENTIAL OF Sapindus laurifolius ON ORAL BACTERIA AND ITS LUMINOUS ASSESSMENT ON TOOTH HUE

Streptococcus mutans and Porphyromonas gingivalis have received considerable attention as the pathogens responsible for dental caries and adult periodontitis. Commercially available mouth rinses provide decent antibacterial effects but have significant adverse effects like high degree of teeth and restoration staining, high alcohol content, taste alteration, metabolic complications on ingestion, low pH posing a risk of dental erosion etc. In this study, the effect of selected extract on the growth of oral bacteria and its staining properties on the human teeth were analysed.

Extracts of Sapindus laurifolius were prepared from dry leaves and seeds. The strains of P. gingivalis ATCC 33277 and S. mutans ATCC 25175 were cultured and exposed to this extract in varying concentrations ranging from 0.4% to 50% to evaluate its antibacterial effect. Photometric luminance assessment of the extract on the enamel and dentin was done using LSR digital camera (Canon IXUS 970 IS). Images were transferred digitally into Gimp Software Version 1.2 (Boston, MA 02111-1307, USA) to investigate tooth color change using luminous intensity values.

Sapindus laurifolius extracts showed significant antibacterial properties against P. gingivalis (ATCC 33277) and S. mutans (ATCC 25175). The extract did not stain the enamel significantly but changed the dentin luminosity significantly. Result shows that higher concentration of the extract can be an excellent indicator for dentin exposure and identification of cracked teeth and cavities. Sapindus laurifolius could prove as an excellent alternative to the conventional chemical mouth rinses used commercially.