PT  - JOURNAL ARTICLE
AU  - Al-Dabbagh, Samim A.
AU  - Qasim, Huda J.
AU  - Al-Derzi, Nadia A.
TI  - Efficacy of Miswak toothpaste and mouthwash on cariogenic bacteria
AID  - 10.15537/smj.2016.9.15855
DP  - 2016 Sep 01
TA  - Saudi Medical Journal
PG  - 1009--1014
VI  - 37
IP  - 9
4099  - http://smj.org.sa/content/37/9/1009.short
4100  - http://smj.org.sa/content/37/9/1009.full
SO  - Saudi Med J2016 Sep 01; 37
AB  - Objectives: To evaluate the efficacy of Salvadora persica (Miswak) products on cariogenic bacteria in comparison with ordinary toothpaste.Methods: The study was conducted in Zakho city, Kurdistan region, Iraq during the period from October 2013 to January 2014. A randomized controlled clinical trial of 40 students randomly allocated into 4 groups. They were instructed to use Mismark toothpaste, Miswak mouthwash, and ordinary toothpaste with water or with normal saline. Salivary samples were collected at 3-time intervals: before, immediately after use, and after 2 weeks of use. The effect of each method on Streptococcus mutans and Lactobacilli was evaluated by using caries risk test.Results: One-way repeated measure analysis of variance (ANOVA), one-way ANOVA, and least significant difference tests were used. Miswak wash has a significant reduction effect on both bacteria immediately and after 2 weeks of use. Miswak paste has a similar effect on Lactobacilli, while Streptococcus mutans showed a significant decrease only after 2 weeks of use. Ordinary paste showed a non significant effect on both bacteria at both time intervals; while the addition of normal saline showed a significant effect on both bacteria only after 2 weeks of use.Conclusion: Miswak products, especially mouth wash, were more effective in reducing the growth of cariogenic bacteria than ordinary toothpaste.