Comparative Evaluation of Antimicrobial Activity of Cotton Balls Incorporated With Musa paradisiaca and Chitosan: An In Vitro Study.

INTRODUCTION: Antibiotics are one of the great advances in medicine. But overusing them has led to resistant bacteria (bacteria that are harder to treat). The current study foresees better non-toxic antimicrobial substances (conventional antibiotics) that insist to consider medicinal plants and animal-derived products, which have better antibiotics without any side effects. The goal of this in-vitro study was to evaluate the antimicrobial activity of cotton balls incorporated with Musa paradisiaca and chitosan. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Musa paradisiaca, chitosan, and gentamicin-reinforced cotton balls were considered in three groups namely Group 1, Group 2, and Group 3, which tested against the strains of Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Actinomyces israelii, Streptococcus mutans, andBacteroides fragilis. For the present study, pre-sterilized cotton balls were taken and then soaked with Banana peel extract and soluble chitosan solution at different concentrations of 500 µg/ml, 250 µg/ml, 100 µg/ml, and 50 µg/ml under aseptic conditions and were dried at 50° overnight. The same incorporation method was followed for a 10mg/ml concentration of gentamicin, which was used as a positive control group. RESULTS: In this current study, the banana peel extract, soluble chitosan, and gentamicin exhibited antimicrobial activity against all the tested microorganisms. In the well diffusion method, at the concentration of 500 µg/ml and 250 µg/ml, chitosan and banana peel extract were comparatively better than the positive control group (gentamicin) at a higher concentration of 10 mg/ml. CONCLUSION: From the results of the present study, a lower concentration of the testing group (soluble chitosan and banana peel extract) exhibited a better effect when compared to a higher concentration of gentamicin. Hence, chitosan and banana peel extract impregnated cotton could be preferred for routine clinical scenarios like wounds, extractions sockets, and during any short intraoperative surgical procedures periodontal surgery, where it can provide maximal antimicrobial effects without the side effects of antibiotics.

Comparative Evaluation of Cocoa Bean Husk, Ginger and Chlorhexidine Mouth Washes in the Reduction of Steptococcus Mutans and Lactobacillus Count in Saliva: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Introduction Dental caries is a ubiquitous bacterial infection that has afflicted people for years. Streptococci mutans (S. mutans) are markers of dental caries and the population of S. mutans in the saliva is directly related to the number of surfaces colonized by them. Any intervention that can inhibit their growth and survival will negatively impact the initiation and progress of caries. Various antimicrobial agents have been tested against these microorganisms. The goal of this study was to assess the efficacy of cocoa bean husk, ginger, and chlorhexidine mouth rinse on S. mutans and Lactobacillus. Materials and methods We conducted a randomized controlled trial involving patients aged 18 to 25 years from July to September 2018. The study population was allocated into three groups. Each group received either cocoa bean, ginger, or chlorhexidine mouth rinses. The study followed a Latin square design. Study participants were instructed to use the assigned mouth rinse once daily for seven days. We collected saliva samples to measure S. mutans and Lactobacillus populations. Results Cocoa bean husk and chlorhexidine rinses produced a significant reduction of S. mutans (p < 0.05). The ginger-based rinse significantly reduced the Lactobacillus population (p < 0.05). Conclusion Our findings indicate these natural mouth rinses offer promising anticariogenic and antiplaque efficacy as cost-effective alternatives to traditional mouth rinses.

Effect of Chewing Xylitol Containing and Herbal Chewing Gums on Salivary Mutans Streptococcus Count among School Children.

BACKGROUND: The present study aims to assess and compare the reduction in salivary Mutans Streptococci counts after chewing Xylitol, herbal and placebo gums among high school children. METHODS: The study was conducted among 72 school children (12-15 years) from 3 randomly selected schools (blocks). Xylitol, herbal and placebo gums were randomly allocated to 3 blocks. Subjects were instructed to chew one pellet four times a day for 21 days. The mean reduction in salivary Streptococcus mutans count was assessed. RESULTS: The 100% Xylitol sweetened chewing gum "Xylitol"has shown statistically significant reduction in salivary Mutans Streptococci colony forming units at the end of 21 days (P < 0.01). The reduction was not statistically significant in herbal and placebo chewing gum. CONCLUSIONS: Hundred percentage Xylitol sweetened chewing gum was found to be more effective in reducing salivary Mutans Streptococci count when compared to herbal and placebo chewing gums.

Caries risk assessment among school children in davangere city using cariogram.

BACKGROUND: To assess the caries risk among 12-years old children using the Cariogram and to evaluate it by comparing with the actual change in DMFT and DMFS over a period of two year. METHODS: A two year prospective study was conducted among 12 years age group school going children in Davangere city. At the baseline relevant and required information regarding the oral hygiene, diet, fluoride usage were obtained using a specially prepared pro forma and the saliva samples were collected from study subjects and the required microbiological analysis was done, as per the instructions of Cariogram version 1997. Caries experience was assessed using DMFT and DMFS index. Re-examination was done after two years and caries increment was calculated. The data so obtained was fed into the Cariogram software based on which they were divided in five groups which were; 0-20% (high risk), 21-40%, 41-60%, 61-80% and 81-100% "Chance of avoiding caries". The caries risk profile generated by the software was compared with caries increment over two years and subjected to statistical analysis. RESULTS: Eighty nine point twenty nine percent of the children in the very low risk group as predicted by Cariogram at baseline did not develop new caries lesions by the end of two years follow-up. Higher risk children at baseline developed higher number of new carious lesions. CONCLUSIONS: Cariogram can be a reliable tool in caries prediction. It can aid in identifying different risk groups in a community and developing preventive strategies for reducing caries risk in children.

Qualitative research: a brief description.

Qualitative research refers to, a range of methodological approaches which aim to generate an in-depth and interpreted understanding of the social world, by learning about people's social and material circumstances, their experiences, perspectives, and histories. Requires researchers to become intensely involved, often remaining in field for lengthy periods of time. The greatest value of qualitative research is its ability to address questions of relevance to public health knowledge and practice which are difficult to answer satisfactorily using quantitative methods.