Abstract
Tooth decay is primarily caused by demineralization resulting from acids
secreted by bacteria, especially Streptococcus mutans and lactobacillus, which ferment
dietary carbohydrates. This occurs in plaque biofilms, which attach to the surfaces of
the tooth and become laden with bacteria. Thus, over time, dental caries result from the
interaction of three main contributing factors: a diet containing carbohydrates, cariesproducing bacteria, as well as sensitive tooth structure. The use of an antibacterial
strategy for treating caries has evolved as a result of (1) identifying certain types of the
oral microbiome as the main cariogenic flora and (2) increasing the knowledge of the
specific ecology of these cariogenic florae. Combined with this concept, control, and
prevention of caries have been sought by reducing the number of bacteria colonizing.
Reducing bacterial populations or completely eradicating them from the oral flora
would provide an additional reason to prevent dental caries. Several undesirable sideeffects of conventional antimicrobial agents include tooth discoloration and the
emergence of bacterial resistance. These side effects stimulate the search for alternative
natural anti-microbial agents.