HomeIngredientComparative Evaluation of Antimicrobial Efficacies of 0.2% Chlorhexidine and 4% Tulsi Extract in the Decontamination of Child Toothbrushes: An Observational Analytical Study

Comparative Evaluation of Antimicrobial Efficacies of 0.2% Chlorhexidine and 4% Tulsi Extract in the Decontamination of Child Toothbrushes: An Observational Analytical Study

March 28, 2022

J Int Soc Prev Community Dent. 2022 Jan 29;12(1):85-92. doi: 10.4103/jispcd.JISPCD_245_21. eCollection 2022 Jan-Feb.

ABSTRACT

AIMS: The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of 0.2% chlorhexidine and 4% tulsi extract as toothbrush decontaminants.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Of 100 children, who attended the outpatient unit of Department of Pediatric dentistry, 81 children, who satisfied all the inclusion criteria were subjected to systematic sampling, after arranging them in the alphabetical order and were grouped into three. The first child came under Group I, second under Group II, third under Group III, fourth one again under Group I, and so on till the 81st child. In the baseline phase, the children were provided precoded toothbrushes and toothpastes and instructed to place those brushes to be put after use, in single-use glasses. After obtaining the baseline value of Streptococcus mutans colony count, the participants of Group I was given 0.2% chlorhexidine, Group II was given 4% tulsi extract, and distilled water for Group III, to be used as toothbrush decontaminants for 5 days. The toothbrushes were then collected back, and were subjected to microbial analysis. Statistical analysis was performed by using Kruskal-Wallis one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Mann-Whitney U test with P < 0.05.

RESULTS: All test solutions, 0.2% chlorhexidine and 4% tulsi extract, except for distilled water, showed a statistically significant reduction of S. mutans count. There was no statistical difference between the efficacies of 4% tulsi extract and 0.2% chlorhexidine, although the latter showed a better reduction.

CONCLUSION: Tulsi extract may well be a perfect replacement to chlorhexidine for reducing the S. mutans count in the child toothbrushes.

PMID:35281682 | PMC:PMC8896584 | DOI:10.4103/jispcd.JISPCD_245_21

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About The Author

Patrick Blanchard MD

Meet Dr. Blanchard Dr. Blanchard’s medical practice is an embodiment of Integrative health which brings conventional and complementary approaches together in a coordinated way. Conveniently located in sunny Florida and over the internet with ValiseMD’s secure HIPPA compliant telXmed servers. Since 1994, patients with a wide range of challenging medical problems have achieved optimum health using the best of natural medicine, judiciously combined with high-tech innovations. Breakthroughs are often achieved even after patients have consulted mainstream specialists and holistic practitioners. Dr. Blanchard is founder and CEO of ValiseMD, Inc. He is board certified in Family Medicine since 1994 and awarded Fellow of the American Academy of Family Physicians in 2001. He received the ‘Teacher of the Year’ award from the University of Kansas School of Medicine at completion of his residency in Family Medicine. He completed a fellowship at Wake Forest University in the field of vascular neurosonology. He holds a medical patent in the field of Gastroenterology. He holds an unrestricted license to practice medicine and surgery in Florida. He started his medical career as a Emergency Medical Technician, then as a Paramedic and later a Medical Doctor.