Effervescent Denture Cleansing Granules using Clove Oil and Analysis of its In Vitro Antimicrobial Activity

Introduction: Prosthetic complete dentures are commonly used by elderly people. These dentures on exposure to the oral environment forms biofilms. This harbours microorganisms and cause bacterial and fungal infections in the oral mucosa. Also cleansing the denture itself is a task for the elderly people. Any solution which clears the adhered component would help them better. Hence effervecense is a better choice to remove the biofilm.

Aim: To prepare effervescent denture cleansing granules with clove oil and to evaluate its antibacterial activity.

Materials and Method: The effervescent granules were prepared from citric acid, tartaric acid and sodium bicarbonate in a ratio of 1: 2: 3. Different concentrations of essential oil were mixed with sodium bicarbonate initially. The citric acid crystals were initially powered and then mixed with tartaric acid. Both these powders were mixed using geometric dilution, further sieved and packed in air tight glass container. The prepared clove effervescent denture cleansing granules were tested against Streptococcus mutants and Enterococcus faecalis after dissolving in sterile water. The fresh bacterial suspension was dispersed on the surface of nutrient agar plates. Different concentration of clove effervescent denture cleansing solution (50, 100 and 150 L) was incorporated into the wells and the plates were incubated at 37°C for 24 h. Zone of inhibition was recorded in each plate. Similarly the antifungal activity was evaluated using rose Bengal agar medium after inoculating with Candida albicans and incorporating the prepared effervescent denture cleansing solution.

Result: Clove mediated effervescent granules showed a dose dependent antibacterial activity against the tested microorganism with a maximum effect on Streptococcus mutans followed by Enterococcus faecalis. The different concentration showed similar inhibition in case of C. albicans.

Conclusion: The prepared clove mediated effervescent denture cleansing granules were found to be effective against S.mutans, E. faecalis and C. albicans . Hence it may be used for routine cleansing of denture to protect the denture users from infections such as denture stomatitis.