ABSTRACT

The antibacterial effects of some commercially available tooth pastes (Colgate, Close-up, Angola, Florish, Holdent, and Maclean) were carried out on some oral pathogens (Bacillus spp, Streptococcus spp and Staphylococcus spp) The sensitivity test showed that Holdent gave the highest zone of inhibition of 33mm on Staphylococcus spp and also the same Holdent showed the highest zone of inhibition of 32mm on Bacillus spp, while Close-up and Florish gave the highest zone of inhibition of 30mm on Streptococcus respectively. Staphylococcus was found to be most susceptible to the tooth pastes than Bacillus and Slreptococcus spp. Maclean toothpaste gave the least inhibition based on zone of inhibition. Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) and Minimum Bactericidal Concentration (MBC) revealed that Holdent gave the highest zone of inhibition for all the isolates followed by Close-up and Florish, while Florish and Close-up has the highest MIC and MBC for Streptococcus spp. The recommendation of tooth pastes especially those known to exhibit high sensitivity will effectively lead to the control and prevention of oral and tooth infections. However, the effects of other ingredients that make up these tooth pastes on oral pathogen should be investigated.