Abstract :
Around the world, several oral health measures have been implemented. The most popular method is to use a toothpaste. However, chewing sticks are still used in many cultures around the world in a conventional manner. Chewing sticks have a mechanical cleansing action similar to a toothbrush in addition to their antimicrobial effect. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effect of Miswak on the growth of Candida species and to compare it to that of toothpaste. A cross-sectional study was carried out on 120 selected randomly volunteers from January to April, 2022. Two groups of participants were used for two weeks. The participants were separated into a group used Miswak and a group use ordinary toothpaste. Samples were collected before and after two weeks in these two groups. Samples were immediately processed for microbiological phenotypic conventional methods and in vitro susceptibility testing of the microbial isolates to antimicrobial. The findings show that a significant effect of Miswak against an oral cavity candida species. Total candida count was 27.5 ± 18.48, P = 0.001 (Mean ± SD) from Miswak group and 247.0 ± 90.14, P = 0.979 (Mean ± SD) in toothpaste group. The most frequent Candida isolates organisms were C. albicans: 22 (36.67%) in the Miswak group and 24 (40.0%) in the toothpaste group, the second isolate was C. dubliniensis: 04 (6.69%) in the Miswak group and 12 (20.0%) in toothpaste group followed by C. glabrata: 02 (3.33%) in Miswak group. In conclusion, Miswak has a considerable antifungal impact immediately and after two weeks of use.
Keyword :
Antifungal activity, Candida species, Miswak (Salvadora persica), toothpaste