Aim: To evaluate antibacterial, antifungal, antioxidant properties of custom-made natural tooth powder and the effectiveness of custom-made natural tooth powder on the oral hygiene status of children. Methodology: Antibacterial and antifungal properties were determined by agar diffusion method against Streptococcus mutans, Candida albicans and antioxidant properties were determined by DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picryl-hydrazyl-hydrate) assay. Clinical trial included 60 children aged 8 to 11 years. Oral prophylaxis was done and after a washout period of 10 days, baseline Simplified Oral Hygiene index (OHI-S) scores, plaque scores and Streptococcus mutans colony counts were recorded. Children were randomly divided into two groups: Group I children brushed with custom-made natural tooth powder and Group II children used commercially available natural tooth powder twice daily. At the end of 30 days, post intervention data was collected and statistically analyzed. Results: In-vitro trial showed that the custom-made natural tooth powder exhibited both antimicrobial and antioxidant properties. Intragroup assessment of clinical trial showed significant reduction in the OHI-S [Group I (p=0.03), Group II (p=0.01)] plaque scores [Group I (p=0.05), Group II (p=0.006)] and Streptococcus colony counts [Group I (p=0.000), Group II (p=0.000)] in both the groups. But there was no statistically significant difference between the two groups. Conclusion: The newer custom-made natural tooth powder is effective in oral hygiene maintenance and can be a possible alternative to the commercially available natural tooth powder.
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