• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.647-651
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• 2007

It has been well established that S. mutans is the major etiological agent in dental caries, one of the most common oral diseases worldwide. The present study was designed to investigate the effect of Saururus chinensis (S. chinensis) ethanol extracts on the growth, acid production, biofilm formation, adhesion, and insoluble glucan synthesis of S. mutans. The ethanol extracts of S. chinensis showed concentration dependent inhibitory activity against the growth and acid production of S. mutans, and produced significant inhibition at the concentration of 0.025, 0.05, 0.1, 0.2 and 0.4 mg/ml compared to the control group. The extracts markedly inhibited S. mutans adherence to HA treated with saliva, and cell adherence was repressed by more than 80% at the concentration of 0.05 mg/ml and complete inhibition was observed at the concentration of 0.4 mg/ml. On the activity of glucosyltransferase which synthesizes water insoluble glucan form sucrose, ethanol extract of S. chinensis showed more than 10% inhibition over the concentration of 0.025 mg/ml. The synthesis of insoluble glucan was decreased in the presence of 0.025 ${\sim}$ 0.4 mg/ml of the ethanol extract of S. chinensis. Our research strongly suggested S. chinensis was a promising natural product for the prevention of dental caries.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Oral Health
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• v.42 no.4
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• pp.210-215
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• 2018

Objectives: The main objectives of this study were to verify the antibacterial activity of two essential oils, lavender and peppermint, against dental caries and to review their synergistic effect when used in combination. Our results provide basic data for the evaluation of the use of these two substances towards the prevention and cure of dental caries. Methods: The sample solutions of lavender and peppermint oils were prepared in three different concentrations (30%, 50%, and 70% (v/v)) by diluting them with third-distilled water and Tween 20. Streptococcus mutans was selected as the bacterial species for testing. The disk diffusion method was used to measure the antibacterial activity of the sample solutions. For generating growth curves and measuring the number of clusters of the bacterial, the liquid medium-dilution method was used; the absorbance of the medium was measured at 600 nm after 3, 6, 12 and 24 hours. Results: When the antibacterial activity of the oils was tested via the disk diffusion method, the activity improved with increasing concentrations of all the sample solutions of peppermint, lavender, and the blend, but there was no significant difference between them with respect to the type of oil. In the growth curves of S. mutans, growth inhibition was observed after 12 hours. The inhibitory effect of 30% lavender oil on growth was 64.9% and 80.1% after 12 and 24 hours of treatment, respectively whereas that of peppermint oil was 71.3% and 80.1% after 12 and 24 hours of treatment, respectively. The inhibitory effect of the blended oil was 71.9% and 81.0% after 12 and 24 hours of treatment, respectively. Conclusions: Further research is still required in order to determine the efficacy of lavender and peppermint oils, as well as other essential oils, for wider use in preventing dental caries.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.33 no.8
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• pp.1101-1110
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• 2023

Streptococcus mutans is the primary causative agent of caries, which is one of the most common human diseases. Thus, rapid and early detection of cariogenic bacteria is critical for its prevention. This study investigated the combination of loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) and microfluid technology to quantitatively detect S. mutans. A low-cost, rapid microfluidic chip using LAMP technology was developed to amplify and detect bacteria at 2.2-2.2 × 10⁶ colony-forming units (CFU)/ml and its detection limits were compared to those of standard polymerase chain reaction. A visualization system was established to quantitatively determine the experimental results, and a functional relationship between the bacterial concentration and quantitative results was established. The detection limit of S. mutans using this microfluidic chip was 2.2 CFU/ml, which was lower than that of the standard approach. After quantification, the experimental results showed a good linear relationship with the concentration of S. mutans, thereby confirming the effectiveness and accuracy of the custom-made integrated LAMP microfluidic system for the detection of S. mutans. The microfluidic system described herein may represent a promising simple detection method for the specific and rapid testing of individuals at risk of caries.

• Natural Product Sciences
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.27-32
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• 2005

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the inhibitory effects of Resina Pini against Streptococcus mutans (S. mutans) that is one of the major causes of dental caries and oral diseases. Topically applied Resina Pini (RP) would be incorporated in saliva and thus the factor associated with water solubility should be considered. In this paper, therefore, effects of various treatment for RP and activities of water extracts from unprocessed and processed RP were compared. The crude RP (RP1) and the recrystallized RP (RP2) in ethanol solution showed strong antimicrobial activities (d.>15mm) against S. mutans. All RP samples exhibited considerable inhibitory effect against glucosyltransferase produced by S. mutans $(IC_{50}=91.2\;to\;276.2\;{\mu}g/ml)$. The very considerable increase in cellular permeability of S. mutans was observed with RP1, RP2 and their water extracts. These results suggest that RP1 and RP2 may be a potential source for pharmaceutical products used for prevention and/or treatment of dental caries and periodontal disease.

• Journal of Oral Medicine and Pain
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.133-140
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• 1996

Saliva have many important functions in the maintenance of oral health. Saliva contains protective components, antibacterial enzymes, and other rubricating glycoprotein elements. When the salivary flow decreases of the salivary composition changes, a normally healthy mouth can become susceptible to caries, periodontal disease, and mucositis, and other diseases. Salivary peroxidase system acts as an antimicrobial factor in the oral cavity, having a role in the prevention of dental plaque accumulation, dental caries and gingivitis. Recently, this enzyme system has been introduced by many researchers in the form of toothpaste, mouthwash or moisturizing gel for use in patients with various disease states . The author prescribed the peroxidase system containing gel (Oralbalance) to the 18 Burning Mouth Syndrome (BMS) patients for 1 week and investigated the changes of the subjective symptoms, $HOSCN/OSCN^-$ levels of unstimulated whole saliva, and the salivary flow rates. The obtained results were as follows : 1. The patients reported decrease in all symptoms of BMS after the use of peroxidase system containing gel, particulary, a significantly higher decreases of dry mouth and burning symptoms. 2. Decreased $HOSCN/OSCN^-$ levels of unstimulated whole saliva were detected in the patients with BMS after the use of perosidase system containing gel for 1 week. 3. There was no difference between the flow rates of unstimulated whole saliva before and after uses of peroxidase system containing gel for 1 week.

• The Journal of Korean Society for School & Community Health Education
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.85-94
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• 2009

Objectives: This study was conducted to improve dental health regarding behavior and understanding of dental health of day care teachers by analyzing actual dental health state. Methods: This study was performed from October 1 to October 30, 2008 for 194 teachers who worked at nurseries in Daegu. Results: In the toothbrushing recognition, 42.3% of the said that tooth brushing after eating is necessary but only 26.3% had the children bush teeth. They did not have the children brush the teeth because they did not have enough time. Many teachers (75.3%) said that dental caries could be prevented. But only 4.1% of them said that fluorine is effective for the prevention of dental caries. The preschool teachers had dental health education experience, better understood the importance of dental health education than those who did not have(p < 0.05). Conclusion: The preschool teachers who had dental health education better recognized the importance of dental health education.

• Journal of Korean society of Dental Hygiene
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• v.7 no.4
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• pp.509-519
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• 2007

The purpose of this study was to take inforamtion to increase support on water fluoridation primary school teachers in Jinhae. The survey was done by self-administration method to primary school teachers 88 at non-fluoridated area in Jinhae. The date was analysed using the SPSS 10.1 program. The results are as follows : The mean percentage of the respondents using the tap water and purified water for drinking was 51.1% and 33.3%, respectively. Recognition rate of water fluoridation was 64.8%, 33.3% of the respondents knew about water fluoridation from mass mesdia. 62.5% of the respondents agreed with water fluoridation. 76.1% of the respondents knew that the purpose of water fluoridation was the prevention of dental caries. 72.7% of the respondents agreed with continuous water fluoridation. 70.5% of the recognized about safety of water fluoridation. 72.7% of the respondents agreed with decision of professional group for the performance of water fluoridation. In order to secure residents' support for the continuation of the adjusted water fluoridation program and to reinforce the education for safety and economical efficiency for the residents through systemic education.

• International Journal of Oral Biology
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• v.40 no.3
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• pp.135-141
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• 2015

Biofilms of oral microbes can cause various diseases in the oral cavity, such as dental caries, periodontitis and mucosal disease. Electrolyzed water generated by an electric current passed via water using a metal electrode has an antimicrobial effect on pathogenic bacteria which cause food poisoning. This study investigated the antimicrobial activity of electrolyzed waters using various metal electrodes on the floatage and biofilms of oral microbes. The electrolyzed water was generated by passing electric current using copper, silver and platinum electrodes. The electrolyzed water has a neutral pH. Streptococcus mutans, Porphyromonas gingivalis and Tannerella forsythia were cultured, and were used to form a biofilm using specific media. The floatage and biofilm of the microbes were then treated with the electrolyzed water. The electrolyzed water using platinum electrode (EWP) exhibited strong antimicrobial activity against the floatage and biofilm of the oral microbes. However, the electrolyzed water using copper and silver electrodes had no effect. The EWP disrupted the biofilm of oral microbes, except the S. mutans biofilm. Comparing the different electrolyzed waters that we created the platinum electrode generated water may be an ideal candidate for prevention of dental caries and periodontitis.

• The Journal of the Korean dental association
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• v.16 no.8 s.111
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• pp.619-624
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• 1978

The use of mouth-rinses containing sodium fluoride after tooth brushing has been proposed as a potentially useful measure for the prevention of dental caries in the practice of public health. About 700 middle school girls rinsed their mouths in the school once a week with sodium fluoride sodution after tooth-brushing. Tooth brushing was practiced everyday after meals and the rinses were carried out under the supervision of the teachers. The procedure consisted of gargling 10cc of fluoride solution for one minute and immediately followed by a second rinse with tap water. The rinsing was started in May 1976 and continued for one year. The results were as follows: 1) The inhibition of the 'D' Person rate was 76.04%, 'M' person rate was 80.79%, 'F' person rate was 4.06% and, 'D.M.F.' person rate was 76.86%. 2) the reduction of the 'D.T.' Index was 81.94%, 'M.T.' Index was 85.71%, 'F.T.' Index was 7.69% and, 'D.M.F.T.' Index was 76.83%. 3) Mouth rinsing with 0.3% NaF solution and tooth brushing are of value in the mass control of dental caries.

• The Journal of the Korean dental association
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• v.58 no.1
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• pp.45-49
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• 2019

Korean society is experiencing a very rapid change in population aging. Oral diseases, including dental caries and periodontal disease, are usually cumulative and make oral health worse with age. Preventing tooth loss through the prevention and treatment of caries and periodontal diseases are essential for retaining oral function later in life. This study aimed to identify the trend in oral health status among elderlies over 65 years old, using major oral health indicators of Health Plan 2020. The fifth, sixth, and seventh Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES V, VI, VII) were used in the present study to estimate the number of remaining natural teeth, the rate of 20 or more natural teeth, the rate of chewing difficulty, and the rate of oral health check-up of elderly. The number of remaining natural teeth increased from 15.6 in 2010 to 17.1 in 2015, and the rate of 20 or more natural teeth also increased from 45.8% in 2010 to 53.7% in 2015. The rate of chewing difficulty was similar but declined a little from 44.3% in 2010 to 42.9% in 2017. Finally, the rate of oral health check-ups of the elderly increased significantly from 12.2% in 2010 to 21.1% in 2017.