Antimicrobial Activity of P.betle in Dentifrice on Mutans Streptococci Invitro

Piper betle Linn leaves have long been used in Indonesia as traditional medicine which is beneficial for oral health. One of its benefits is capability to prevent dental caries, because it has active substance: Cavicol, Cavibetol,Carvacrol,Eugenol and Allilpyrocatechol. Objectives: The aim of the study is to determine the sensitivity of Piper betle linn in dentifrice on mutans streptococci in vitro.Methods: The effect of Piper betle linn in dentifrice was examined in vitro on the inhibit the bacterial growth by determining the inhibition zone (agar diffusion method), minimum inhibition concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC).The microorganisms tested were composed 5 strains of mutans of Streptococcus mutans Ing-Britt, Streptococcus mutans KPSK2 Streptococcus mutans LM7 Streptococcus mutans JC2,Streptococcus sobrinus B13.Data obtained was done in a descriptive method. Results: showed that Piper betle linn in dentifrice had effect on all of mutans of Streptococcus mutans Ing-Britt(inhibition zone 4.00 mm; MIC 10^-3/ml ,MBC 10^-1/ml); Streptococcus mutans KPSK2 (inhibition zone 2.60 mm;MIC 10^-3/ml ,MBC 10^-1/ml);Streptococcus mutans LM7(inhibition zone 1.90 mm; MIC 10^-3/ml ,MBC 10^-1/ml);Streptococcus mutans JC2(inhibition zone 2.00 mm;MIC 10^-3/ml ,MBC 10^-1/ml);Streptococcus sobrinus B13(inhibition zone 1.60 mm; MIC 10^-3/ml,MBC 10^-1/ml) and their MBC value was three times bigger than MIC. Conclusion: We concluded that Piper betle linn in dentifrice has anti microbial activity against Streptococcus mutans Ing-Britt,Streptococcus mutans KPSK2 Streptococcus mutans LM7,Streptococcus mutans JC2,Streptococcus sobrinus B13 invitro. It can be used to prevent caries.