• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.189-194
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• 2015

Streptococcus mutans (S. mutans) is one of the most important bacteria in the formation of dental plaque and dental caries. S. mutans adheres to an acquired pellicle formed on the tooth surface, and aggregates with many oral bacteria, and initiates plaque formation by synthesizing glucan from sucrose, which is catalyzed by glucosyltransferases. S. mutans metabolizes the dietary sugar to the organic acids. The organic acids demineralize tooth surface and result in dental caries. Galla Chinensis have been traditionally used for stopping bleeding of gingiva, removing edema and halitosis, drainage, fixing the teeth and as an antiphlogistic agent. In previous reports, antibacterial effects of Galla Chinensis have been investigated whereas anti-cariogenic effects is still not examined enough. Therefore we tested effects of ethanol extracts of Galla Chinensis on the cariogenic properties such as the growth, acid production, adhesion, and insoluble glucan synthesis of S. mutans. In the result, ethanol extracts of Galla Chinensis showed the inhibition of S. mutans growth and organic acids production over 0.031 mg/ml concentrations. The adhesion of S. mutans to Saliva-coated Hydroxyapatite beads S-HAs has decreased with the increase of concentration of ethanol extracts of Galla Chinensis. And it seems to have adhesion inhibitory effect in concentration of over 0.25 mg/ml. It gives us the result that Galla Chinensis have anti-caries effects. But ethanol extract of Galla Chinensis didn't have inhibitory effect on insoluble glucan synthesis. Preliminary phytochemical analysis of the ethanol extract of Galla Chinensis showed strong phenolic compounds, medium steroids & terpenoids and glycosides, and weak organic acids and peptides. These results suggest that the ethanol extracts of Galla Chinensis may have anti-cariogenic properties, which may be able to be related with strong phenolic compounds.

• Journal of the korean academy of Pediatric Dentistry
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• v.47 no.4
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• pp.397-405
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• 2020

The aim of this study is to compare cariogenic characteristics of fluoride-sensitive Streptococcus mutans [fluoride-sensitive (FS) S. mutans ] and fluoride-resistant Streptococcus mutans [fluoride-resistant (FR) S. mutans] in the presence of sucrose, and to evaluate its effect on cariogenic biofilm formation. S. mutans ATCC 25175 was continuously cultured in trypticase soy broth (TSB) containing NaF (70 ppm) for 40 days to generate FR S. mutans. FS and FR S. mutans were inoculated in TSB with or without 2% sucrose, and optical density and pH were measured every hour. An oral biofilm was formed using saliva bacteria and analyzed through confocal laser scanning microscopy and CFU count. Finally, the expression of glucosyltransferases genes of both S. mutans was investigated through RT-PCR. FR S. mutans exhibited slower growth and lower acidogenicity in the presence of sucrose compared to FS S. mutans . Both cariogenic and single species biofilm formation was lower in the presence of FR S. mutans, along with reduced number of bacteria. FR S. mutans showed significantly low levels of gtfB, gtfC, and gtfD expression compared to FS S. mutans . On the basis of results, FR S. mutans may be less virulent in the induction of dental caries.

• Journal of the korean academy of Pediatric Dentistry
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.625-631
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• 2002

The effect of combinations of 8 antimicrobial agents on the growth of Streptococcus mutans and Streptococcus sobrinus was investigated with the minimum inhibitory concentration and fractional inhibitory concentration(FIC) and ${\Sigma}FIC$ index. According to the ${\Sigma}FIC$ values by. The American Society for Microbiology and Berenbaum, Approximately 34% and 82% of the combinations were synergistic respectively. Partial synergy described by Isenberg was also observed in the half of the combinations. There was a tendency for additive antimicrobial effect against cariogenic bacteria though the test results showed difference according to the applied values. It may be beneficial to use combined antimicrobial agents that have various activities against an ecosystem and metabolism of bacteria than using individual agents.

• Restorative Dentistry and Endodontics
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• v.41 no.4
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• pp.278-282
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• 2016

Objectives: Glass ionomer cements (GICs), which are biocompatible and adhesive to the tooth surface, are widely used nowadays for tooth restoration. They inhibit the demineralization and promote the remineralization of the tooth structure adjacent to the restoration, as well as interfere with bacterial growth. Hence, the present study was conducted to assess and compare the antimicrobial activity of three commercially available GICs against two cariogenic bacteria. Materials and Methods: An agar plate diffusion test was used for evaluating the antimicrobial effect of three different GICs (Fuji IX, Ketac Molar, and d-tech) on Streptococcus mutans (S. mutans) and Lactobacillus acidophilus (L. acidophilus). Thirty plates were prepared and divided into two groups. The first group was inoculated with S. mutans, and the second group was inoculated with L. acidophilus. These plates were then incubated at $37^{\circ}C$ for 24 hours. Zones of bacterial growth inhibition that formed around each well were recorded in millimeters (mm). Results: The zones of inhibition for Fuji IX, Ketac Molar, and d-tech on S. mutans were found to be $10.84{\pm}0.22mm$, $10.23{\pm}0.15mm$, and $15.65{\pm}0.31mm$, respectively, whereas those for L. acidophilus were found to be $10.43{\pm}0.12mm$, $10.16{\pm}0.11mm$, and $15.57{\pm}0.13mm$, respectively. Conclusions: D-tech cement performed better in terms of the zone of bacterial inhibition against the two test bacteria, than the other two tested glass ionomers.

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.348-352
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• 1998

Different bacteria wwere seperated from saliva and teeth of cariogenic patients and identified by a variety of morphological and biochemical tests. Extracts of green tea strongly inhibited Escherichia coli, Streptococcus salivarius and Streptococcus mutans. The antibacterial effect of green and black tea extracts were compared with those of amoxicillin, cephradine and eugenol.

• International Journal of Oral Biology
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• v.38 no.2
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• pp.81-85
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• 2013

There are estimated to be about 700 species of bacteria in the oral cavity. Based on epidemiological investigations, some of these strains have been proposed as the pathogens responsible for oral diseases such as dental caries, gingivitis and periodontitis. Since electrolyzed hydrogen-rich water has been shown to have beneficial effects on human immunity, its use has increased. In our study, the antibacterial activity of hydrogen-rich water for oralagainst bacteria associated with oral disease was evaluated. The bacterial strains Streptococcus mutans, Fusobacterium nucleatum, Porphyromonas gingivalis and Tannerella forsythia were cultured in specific growth medium. S. mutans, F. nucleatum and P. gingivalis were soaked to thein both hydrogen water and tap water for 30 sec and then inoculated onto mitis-salivarius agar and brain heart infusion agar including supplemented withvitamin K and hemin, respectively. The numbers of bacterial colonies were then measured after cultivation for 48 hours. In the case of T. forsythia, which does not grow well on agar plates, inoculations into modified new oral spirochete (NOS) broth were performed and growth curve analysis was undertaken every day with a spectrophotometer. Hydrogen water showed antibacterial activity against all four bacterial strains in comparison with tap-water. We conclude from this that hydrogen water may have a positive impact on oral hygiene by helping to remove cariogenic bacteria and periodontopathogens.

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• v.29 no.6
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• pp.490-496
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• 2006

This study aimed to evaluate in vitro effects of Rheum undulatum L. root on the development of dental caries, especially its effects on viability, dental plaque formation, and glycolytic acid production of Streptococcus mutans and Streptococcus sobrinus. Methanol extract of Rheum undulatum L. root and its fractions were prepared and tested. Among the test extract and fractions, dichloromethane fraction (DF) showed the most active antibacterial activity (inhibition zone: 13-17 mm) against S. mutans and S. sobrinus in a disc diffusion method. Minimal inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of DF against these bacteria ranged from 0.25 to 0.5 mg/mL. Furthermore, DF significantly inhibited the caries-inducing factors of these bacteria. At sub-MIC levels, DF inhibited in vitro dental plaque formation by S. mutans and S. sobrinus ($IC_{50}$= 0.079 and 0.142 mg/mL, respectively), which was caused, in part, by the inhibitory effect on the activity of glucosyltransferases. A significant reduction of glycolytic acid production was found at the concentration as low as 0.032 mg/mL for S. mutans and 0.063 mg/mL for S. sobrinus. The possible bioactive compounds that are inducing in vitro anti-cariogenic activity of DF are unknown. Based on the preliminary phytochemical analysis, the activity of DF may be related to the presence of anthraquinones, cardiac glycosides, coumarines, sterols/terpenes, and phenolics. These results indicate that DF is probably useful for the control of dental plaque formation and subsequent dental caries development.

• Journal of Oral Medicine and Pain
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• v.32 no.1
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• pp.45-55
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• 2007

Plant extract has attracted considerable interest in oral disease therapy. The present study was performed to observe the antibacterial effect on cariogenic Streptococcus mutans GS5 and Streptococcus sobrinus 6715, and periodontopathic Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans Y4 of phytoncide from Chamaecyparis obtusa Sieb. et Zucc employing the measurement of optical density, viable cell counts, and antibiotic sensitivity. The results were as follows: 1. Minimum inhibitory concentration of the phytoncide for S. mutans, S. sobrinus, and A. actinomycetemcomitans was observed to be 0.5%, 1%, and 0.2%, respectively. 2. Minimum bactericidal concentration of the phytoncide for S. mutans, S. sobrinus, and A. actinomycetemcomitans was determined to be 0.5%, 2%, and 0.2%, respectively. 3. The bacteria exposed to the phytoncide become more sensitive to antibiotics. The phytoncide enhanced significantly antibacterial activity of ampicillin against S. mutans and S. sobrinus. It also increased significantly the activity of penicillin and amoxicillin against S. sobrinus. In contrast, the phytoncide augmented the activity of amoxicillin and cefotaxime against A. actinomycetemcomitans but the increase was not statistically significant. The overall results indicate that phytoncide from Chamaecyparis obtusa Sieb. et Zucc used for this study has a strong antibacterial activity against cariogenic and periodontopathic bacteria and that it also has permeabilizing effect on certain antibiotics against these bacteria. Therefore, the phytoncide may be used as a candidate for prevention and therapeutic agent against oral infectious disease including dental caries and periodontal disease.

• Journal of the korean academy of Pediatric Dentistry
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• v.43 no.3
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• pp.306-312
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• 2016

Gargle solution has typically been used for the prevention of oral infectious disease such as dental caries and periodontitis. However, the use of most gargle solutions is controversial in application for children because some gargle solutions have harmful side effects. Electrolyzed water is generated by passed an electric current and has antimicrobial activity. The purpose of this study was to investigate and compare the efficacy of electrolyzed water in various conditions for eliminating cariogenic bacteria. Electrolyzed water was generated by a platinum electrode in the presence of sodium chloride at various concentrations. Streptococcus mutans and Streptococcus sobrinus were cultivated into a brain heart infusion broth. After harvesting planktonic bacteria, the pellets were treated with the electrolyzed water and commercial gargle solutions and plated on a mitis-salivarius agar plate. Also, the anti-biofilm activity of the electrolyzed water and commercial gargle solutions was investigated after biofilm formation of S. mutans and S. sobrinus. The bacteria in the biofilm were plated onto a mitis-salivarius agar plate. The plates were incubated, and the colony forming unit was measured. The electrolyzed water containing sodium chloride showed significant antibacterial activity against S. mutans and S. sobrinus as well as some gargle solutions. Furthermore, the electrolyzed water had more disruptive effect on the biofilm of S. mutans and S. sobrinus and killed more bacteria in the biofilm than commercial gargle solutions. The results demonstrate that electrolyzed water may be a useful gargle solution for prevention of dental caries.

• The Journal of the Korean dental association
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• v.50 no.7
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• pp.394-406
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• 2012

Objective: The adhesion capabilities of different types of self-ligating brackets were measured with respect to Streptococcus mutans and Streptococcus sobrinus. Methods: Five types of self-ligating brackets (Clippy-C; Mini Clippy; Clarity-SL; Speed; Damon 3) were used for the experiment group and composite resin brackets (Spirit-MB), metal brackets (Victory) and polycrystalline alumina brackets (Clarity) were used for the control group. In order to assess adhesion of bacteria to the brackets, the brackets were cultured for 3, 6 and 24 hours in media containing bacteria and 20% sucrose. Results: There was no statistic difference in adhesion amount of Streptococcus mutans and Streptococcus sobrinus according to the types of brackets. A total adhesion amount according to bracket type was different. An extended incubation time increased adhesion amount. Observation under scanning electron microscope showed that Streptococcus sobrinus adhered more to Clippy-C and Victory rather than to Clarity-SL. Conclusions: Clarity-SL, a self-ligating esthetic bracket was confirmed to show lower bacterial adhesion to cariogenic bacteria, Streptococcus mutans and Streptococcus sobrinus group than other self-ligating brackets or conventional brackets, which suggests that proper use of self-ligating esthetic brackets might even be better in preventing tooth surface decalcification.