Evaluation of the effect of different commercial toothpastes containing natural agents on the viability of microcosm biofilm and prevention of enamel demineralization in vitro

Abstract

Currently the demand for dentifrices containing natural agents to control dental biofilm based on their antimicrobial effect is growing. However, little information is available on their efficacy to control biofilm and dental caries. The most common natural agents added into dentifrices are Rosmarinus officinalis (Rosemary), Mentha piperita Peppermint), Curcuma longa (Crocus), Calendula officinalis (marigold/ daisy), Commiphora myrrha (myrrh), Stevia rebaudiana (Stevia), Eucalyptus globulus (Eucalyptus), Melaleuca alternifolia (Malaleuca) and Citrus grandis (Grapefruit). This work aims to evaluate the effect of commercial dentifrices containing natural agents on the viability of microcosm biofilm as well as on the prevention of enamel demineralization in vitro. For the formation of microcosm biofilm, saliva from 10 healthy individuals will be collected, diluted (70% saliva and 30% glycerol) and then mixed with McBain artificial saliva (with 0.2% sucrose). Sixty bovine enamel samples (4 mm x 4 mm) will be prepared for the formation of microcosm biofilm for 5 days, which will be treated daily (1x60s/ day) using the following commercial dentifrices: 1) Organic natural®-Contente/Uberlândia- Brazil, 2) Boni Natural Menta & Malaleuca®-Boni/São Bernardo do Campo- Brazil, 3) Propolis & Myrrh®-Tom's Maine/Kennebunk- USA, 4) Colgate Total 12 Clean Mint®- Colgate- Palmolive/São Paulo-Brazil (triclosan, positive control) and 5) PBS (negative control). The response variables will be: 1) the percentages of live and dead bacteria into biofilm by fluorescence using the confocal microscope; 2) quantification of enamel demineralization using transverse microradiography. The data will be submitted to the appropriate statistical analysis (parametric or non-parametric test), considering p<0.05. (AU)