The effect of brushing with Salvadora persica (miswak) sticks on salivary Streptococcus mutans and plaque levels in children: a clinical trial

Abstract

Background: The aim of the randomized double-blinded clinical trial was to evaluate the effect of tooth brushing with Salvadora persica (miswak) sticks on Streptococcus mutans count and the mean plaque score relative to brushing with fluoridated tooth paste (FTP). Methods: Our sample included 94 healthy, high caries-risk, 8 to 9-year-old students recruited from a government school, in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia between February and April 2016. Subjects were randomly grouped into test (provided with miswak sticks) and control groups (provided with FTP and soft brushes). Both groups were introduced to a preparatory period (PPP) of 3 weeks. Plaque score and saliva sampling were conducted prior to the PPP and in follow-up visits by a single, calibrated and blinded dentist. Results: Both groups showed a statistically significant decrease in the mean plaque score across the study (P = 0.007 and P = 0.001, respectively). In addition, subjects in the test group with abundant S. sanguinis increased from zero to six after 3 months. Conclusions: Salvadora Persica (miswak) and brushing with FTP significantly reduced plaque scores among school children. In addition, Salvadora persica was found to change the proportions of salivary bacteria in favor of species with less risk of inducing caries. Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov ID #: NCT04137393.

Salvadora persica L.: Toothbrush tree with health benefits and industrial applications – An updated evidence-based review

“…A recent report by ( Landu et al, 2020 ) showed significant use of S. persica stick in decreasing the number of oral pathogen colons in mechanically ventilated patients (p < 0.05) which means that S. persica oral care can help patients with mechanical ventilation. Also a new clinical trial by ( Sabbagh et al, 2020 ) reported ability of S. persica to alter the nature of salivary bacteria in favor of less risk species in school children group of study.…”

Salvadora persica: Nature’s Gift for Periodontal Health

“…Given the anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant properties of SP, its extracts can have an important role in preventing the onset and progression of periodontal disease, as stated in the current study. The majority of the studies discussed in this study observed the clinical therapeutic effect of SP on gingival or periodontal inflammation and health in terms of gingival status and plaque accumulation ( Table 4 ) [ 3 , 75 , 76 , 77 , 78 , 79 , 80 , 81 , 82 , 83 , 84 , 85 , 86 ]. In these inquiries, SP was introduced in the form of mouthwashes [ 75 , 77 , 78 , 79 , 81 , 82 , 83 ], toothpastes/dentifrices [ 80 , 85 , 86 ], chewing/brushing sticks [ 3 , 76 , 84 , 87 ] or periodontal films [ 88 ].…”

“…The majority of the studies discussed in this study observed the clinical therapeutic effect of SP on gingival or periodontal inflammation and health in terms of gingival status and plaque accumulation ( Table 4 ) [ 3 , 75 , 76 , 77 , 78 , 79 , 80 , 81 , 82 , 83 , 84 , 85 , 86 ]. In these inquiries, SP was introduced in the form of mouthwashes [ 75 , 77 , 78 , 79 , 81 , 82 , 83 ], toothpastes/dentifrices [ 80 , 85 , 86 ], chewing/brushing sticks [ 3 , 76 , 84 , 87 ] or periodontal films [ 88 ]. Moreover, SP was applied in several concentrations as a pure SP product [ 3 , 76 , 78 , 80 , 84 , 86 , 87 ] or in combination with other herbal elements [ 75 , 77 , 79 , 81 , 82 , 83 , 85 ].…”

“…In these inquiries, SP was introduced in the form of mouthwashes [ 75 , 77 , 78 , 79 , 81 , 82 , 83 ], toothpastes/dentifrices [ 80 , 85 , 86 ], chewing/brushing sticks [ 3 , 76 , 84 , 87 ] or periodontal films [ 88 ]. Moreover, SP was applied in several concentrations as a pure SP product [ 3 , 76 , 78 , 80 , 84 , 86 , 87 ] or in combination with other herbal elements [ 75 , 77 , 79 , 81 , 82 , 83 , 85 ]. In the current review all presented investigations reporting SP administration in different therapeutic forms could display a significant improvement of gingival inflammation and reduction of plaque accumulation ( Table 4 ), proving a steady and successful clinical outcome of SP herbal adjunctive therapy in the treatment or prevention of inflammation and plaque as key factors of periodontal disease [ 31 ].…”

“…Consequently, the WHO has inspired developing nations to embrace therapeutic herbs as an additional resource to upsurge the success of health care systems [ 1 , 2 ]. Amongst the evidence-based plant therapies, positively graded as a “miracle twig” is Salvadora persica (SP) [ 3 ].…”