PENGARUH PEMBERIAN LARUTAN EKSTRAK SIWAK (Salvadora persica) PADA BERBAGAI KONSENTRASI TERHADAP PERTUMBUHAN Streptococcus mutans

Abstract

Background: Mouth bacterial flora in the form of plaque is the main requirement for the forming of caries. Streptococcus mutans is considered to have a vital role in causing caries. Miswak (Salvadora persica) has been known to be able to improve the oral hygiene and health through its mechanical and chemical components. This research used miswak extract solution which has antibacterial effect. Aim: To know the effect of the application of miswak extract solution at various concentrations on the growth of S. mutans and to determine the Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC). Methods: This research is a quasi experimental research with post test only control group design. The sample used the colony of S. mutants. In this research there were 6 sample groups and one control group. The sample’s given was by applying the miswak extract solutions with 100%, 50%, 25%, 12,5%, 6,2%, and 3,1% concentration levels towards the research samples. The data was obtained by visually observing the growth of S. mutans colonies in each sample groups. Statistical test was using Kruskal-Wallis test and continued with Mann-Whitney test. Results: In the treatment groups with the 50 % and 100% concentrations of miswak extract solution there were no visible growth of S. mutans, meanwhile in the sample groups with the 3,1 %, 6,2%, 12,5%, and 25% concentrations of miswak extract solution there were still visible growths of S. mutans although from the visual observation, the growths of S. mutants in the sample groups with the 3,1 %, 6,2%, 12,5%, and 25% concentrations of miswak extract solution were not as much if compared to the growths of S. mutans in the control group. The Kruskal-Wallis test obtained a significance difference (p=0,003), and the test was continued with Mann-Whitney test which obtained a significance difference (p=0,025). Conclusions: The usage of miswak extract solution could hinder the growth of S. mutans. Siwak extract solution with 50% concentration was the most effective in hindering the growth of S. mutans. Keywords: Streptococcus mutans, miswak extract solution, Salvadora persica