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| Title |
Allicin-Containing Foods May Reduce Caries |
| Clinical Question |
Are foods containing allicin, which has antibacterial properties, effective in carries prevention? |
| Clinical Bottom Line |
Allicin-containing foods may reduce caries. Research has shown the anti-microbial affects of allicin-containing foods (i.e., garlic) on known oral pathogenic bacteria. |
| Best Evidence |
(you may view more info by clicking on the PubMed ID link) |
| PubMed ID |
Author / Year |
Patient Group |
Study type
(level of evidence) |
| #1) 25565751 | Chandrdas/2014 | 210 dental students | Randomized Controlled Trial | | Key results | A solution of 3% garlic extract resulted in a greater reduction (100%) of Streptococcus mutans count than either chlorhexidine gluconate (78.3%) or cetylpyridinium chloride (91.4%). Group III, which used the garlic extract, showed significant (P < 0.001) reduction in colony forming units of S. mutans. Group I, which used distilled water, also showed significant (P < 0.001) reduction in colony forming units of S. mutans. | | #2) 18007101 | Fani/2007 | 105 carious teeth (92 isolates of S. mutans; 28 were multi-drug resistant strains) | Laboratory study | | Key results | The study showed the inhibitory effect of garlic extract on 28 multi-drug resistant (MDR) strains and 28 non-multi drug resistant strains of S. mutans. “In vitro data obtained in this study revealed that garlic extract could significantly inhibit the growth of MDR S. mutans at minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) range of 4-32 mg/ml.” | | #3) 24695825 | Shetty/2013 | Cultures of Porphyromonas gingivalis and Aggrgatibacter actinomycetemcomitans | Laboratory study | | Key results | The study showed the significant inhibitory effect of garlic on oral pathogens, particularly P. gingivalis and A. actinomycetemcomitans. In the study, garlic extracts did not show any bactericidal activity towards the organisms; however, it did show bacteriostatic activity towards the organisms. | |
| Evidence Search |
(“Garlic”[Mesh] AND “Dental Caries”[Mesh]) (“garlic and toothbrush”) (“garlic and periodontal) |
Comments on
The Evidence |
The first study conducted was a double-blind randomized controlled parallel study consisting of 210 dental students. The students were divided into 6 different groups. Students used toothbrushes for 2 weeks, and the toothbrushes were tested for microbial levels. The students were then given new toothbrushes to use for another 2 weeks. After 2 weeks, the toothbrushes were submerged in the different solutions for 12 hours, and microbial levels were measured. Perhaps a longer time frame could provide a better indication and more reliable results.
The second study was a laboratory study in which strains of S. mutans were isolated from 105 extracted carious teeth. Garlic was shown to be effective against the organisms; however, much of the experimentation was performed on agar plates and in test tubes. More extensive tests done in vivo could be useful.
The third study was also a laboratory study. Like the second study, it showed promising results with garlic; however, much of the study was performed on culture plates and tubes. More extensive in vivo testing should be done in order to truly determine the anti-microbial effect of allicin on oral pathogens. |
| Applicability |
Allicin shows significant anti-microbial activity towards known carious bacteria. It may be useful as an effective anti-carious agent, however the lack of in vivo testing prevents it from being recommended for clinical use. |
| Specialty/Discipline |
(Public Health) (General Dentistry) (Periodontics) |
| Keywords |
Allicin, garlic, caries
|
| ID# |
3026 |
| Date of submission: |
04/04/2016 |
| E-mail |
hayesc4@livemail.uthscsa.edu |
| Author |
Carter Hayes |
| Co-author(s) |
|
| Co-author(s) e-mail |
|
| Faculty mentor/Co-author |
Georgiana S. Gross, MPH |
| Faculty mentor/Co-author e-mail |
Grossg@uthscsa.edu |
Basic Science Rationale
(Mechanisms that may account for and/or explain the clinical question, i.e. is the answer to the clinical question consistent with basic biological, physical and/or behavioral science principles, laws and research?) |
post a rationale |
| None available | |
|
Comments and Evidence-Based Updates on the CAT
(FOR PRACTICING DENTISTS', FACULTY, RESIDENTS and/or STUDENTS COMMENTS ON PUBLISHED CATs) |
post a comment |
| None available | |
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