Background: Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) are the nanoparticles of silver between 1 nm and 100 nm in size. In this study, AgNPs were extracted from Ocimum tenuiflorum and Stevia rebaudiana which is a medicinal plant of Indian origin, worshipped by the Hindus and used in Ayurvedic medicine since ancient times. Aim: The aim of the study was to assess the antimicrobial and cytotoxic effect of AgNPs reinforced with the herb O. tenuiflorum and S. rebaudiana against oral pathogens. Materials and Methods: In this in vitro study, the organisms used were Streptococcus mutans, Staphylococcus aureus, Lactobacillus sp., and Candida albicans. Agar well-diffusion method was used to assess the antimicrobial efficacy of the nanoparticles at 25 mL, 50 mL, and 100 mL. To assess the cytotoxic effect, brine shrimp lethality assay was used. Results: Zone of inhibition was found to be highest at 100 mL against S. mutans, S. aureus, Lactobacillus sp., and C. albicans. The cytotoxic activity at 5 mL and 10 mL was 0%. The maximum cytotoxicity was seen at 80 mL where 30% of the Nauplii’s died. Conclusion: The findings from this study suggest that AgNPs reinforced with O. tenuiflorum and S. rebaudiana extracts has the potential as an antimicrobial agent and has less cytotoxic effect on brime shrimp and can be used as an alternative to commercially available antimicrobial agents.

Diabetes mellitus and hypertension co-exists in many individuals as the pathogenic relationship between diabetes mellitus and hypertension is actually bidirectional. Extraction of teeth is a common procedure performed in Dentistry and the Co-existence of these systemic diseases in dental patients can cause many complications like delayed wound healing, infection or bleeding during dental extractions. The aim of the present study was to assess the prevalence of hypertension among dental patients with diabetes mellitus in south Indian population. A retrospective study was conducted from the data of 6682 dental patients who visited the outpatient Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Saveetha Dental College, Saveetha University, Chennai, for dental extractions due to various reasons during the time period from June 2019 – to March 2020. Patients data was retrieved from the institutional digital data registry and statistically analysed. Among 6682 patients who underwent extractions, 904 [13.5%] patients had diabetes mellitus. Among 904 patients with diabetes mellitus, 419 [46.3%] patients had hypertension. Prevalence of hypertension was more in males than females and the results were statistically not significant [p=0.062, (>0.05)]. Prevalence of hypertension was more in 41-50 years age group and the results were statistically significant. [p<0.001, (<0.05)]. According to our study, a high proportion of patients with diabetes mellitus undergoing dental extractions had hypertension which can cause increased morbidity and mortality. Males and patients belonging to fifth decade of life were more affected by both diabetes mellitus and hypertension.

Mouthwash is the effective chemical plaque control mechanism being practiced globally. Teeth and tongue discoloration, a temporary change in taste perception, an increase in calculus deposits, a burning sensation, and genotoxicity of buccal epithelial cells are all possible side effects. This review evaluates the efficacy of chitosan mouthwash in comparison to chlorhexidine mouthwash in combating plaque accumulation and gingival inflammation. Electronic databases such as Medline, Cochrane, LILACS, TRIP, Google scholar, and clinical trial registries (CTRI) for ongoing trials were searched with appropriate medical subheadings (MeSH) and search terms. Randomized clinical trials comparing the efficacy of chitosan mouthwash and chlorhexidine mouthwash on dental plaque accumulation and gingivitis were included. The outcome variables of interest were plaque index, gingival index, gingival bleeding index, and colony-forming unit (CFU/ml). All data from the included studies were extracted in a customized extraction sheet. The risk of bias across the studies was assessed using the Cochrane tool for intervention (ROB-2), which consisted of six domains. Of the included three studies, we found one study with an overall low risk of bias and two studies with an overall high risk of bias across the domains. Though there was a significant reduction in plaque accumulation, gingival inflammation, and colony-forming units on the use of chitosan mouthwash and chlorhexidine mouthwash separately, all three included studies reported that a combination of both be more effective.

Background: Dental biofilm is still a concern for dental professionals, given that it has been correlated with the aetiology of oral diseases. Herbal medicine or plant derived extracts are considered to be safer and exhibits less or no adverse effects in comparison with chemically synthesized medicines. Hence, herbal medicine and their extract can be used as an adjuvant in dental disease treatment. One among the various plant extract exhibiting antimicrobial activity against oral microorganisms is Rosemarinus officinalis is an aromatic plant belonging to lamiaceae family originating from Mediterranean region. Therefore the present study was designed to assess the antimicrobial efficacy of Rosmarinus officinalis and Fluoride containing dentifrices against streptococcus aureus, Enterococcus Faecalis and Candida albicans. Materials and Method: Rosemary leaves were procured from the markets of South India and were powdered to prepare the aqueous and ethanolic extract of Rosmarinus Officinalis. Both the extracts of Rosmarinus Officinalis and Fluoride containing dentifrice were subjected to antimicrobial analysis. The antimicrobial activity was evaluated using Agar well diffusion method. The diameters of the zones of inhibited growth were measured to the nearest whole millimetre. Data was entered in Microsoft excel spread sheet and analysed using SPSS software (version 23). Descriptive statistics were expressed by means of percentage. Results: The antimicrobial activity of Ethanolic extract of Rosmarinus officinalis at 100 conc. showed zone of inhibition of 20mm, 22mm, 17mm against Streptococcus mutans, Enterococcus faecalis and Candida albicans respectively. Hence the Rosemary toothpaste had good antimicrobial property when compared to fluoride toothpaste. Conclusion: Based on the results of the present study, it can be concluded that, rosemary containing dentifrice exhibited good antimicrobial properties when compared with fluoride dentifrice and it can be serve as an excellent replacement of several commercial available dentifrices.