ABSTRACT:
Dental caries is a destructive process causing decalcification of the tooth enamel and leading to continued destruction of enamel and dentin, and cavitation of the tooth. Given the incidence of oral disease, increased resistance by bacteria to antibiotics, adverse affects of some antibacterial agents currently used in dentistry and financial considerations in developing countries, there is a need for alternative prevention and treatment options that are safe, effective and economical. This paper researches the anti bacterial properties of some South India spices and its role in inhibiting oral microbes. Clove has effective bactericidal properties and is used to inhibit gram positive and gram negative bacteria. Black pepper is known widely for its therapeutic uses. The antibacterial activity of these spices on Lacobacillus acidophilus, organism strongly associated with progression of dental caries was screened by disc diffusion method. The results obtained from our study shows that the two extracts have got a very good antibacterial activity against Lactobacillus acidophilus.