ACTION OF TEA TREE OIL AND CINNAMON LEAF OIL AGAINST ORAL PATHOGENS

Objective: To evaluate the antimicrobial effect of tea tree oil (TTO) (Melaleuca alternifolia) and cinnamon leaf oil (Cinnammomum osmophloeum) againstoral pathogens. This study gives a detail description about the action of TTO and cinnamon leaf oil against pathogens that are responsible for dentalcaries. The mouth contains a wide variety of oral bacterial, and only a few specific species of bacteria are believed to cause dental caries: Streptococcusmutans and Lactobacillus species among them. TTO or Malaleuca is an essential oil with a fresh camphoraceous odor and color ranges from pale yellow tocolorless or clear. It is used for medications as it has an antimicrobial effect. The essential oil of M. alternifolia exhibits antimicrobial activity against a widerange of Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, yeasts, and fungi. Cinnamon oil contains cinnamaldehyde which possess the strongest antibacterialactivity. Since essential oil has a very good antimicrobial effect, it is used against the action of oral pathogens involved in dental caries.Methods: Cinnamon leaf oil and TTO disc diffusion method is used.Result: The results obtained from our study shows that the two essential oils have got a very good antibacterial activity against S. mutans.Conclusion: From this study , we conclude that herbal product have a very good anti bacterial effect. So herbal products can be introduced for dentaltreatments.Keywords: Cinnamon oil, tea tree oil, dental caries, disc diffusion, S. Mutans, herbal product