To determine the microbiological quality and antimicrobial activity and effectiveness of
commonly used toothpaste, thirty products consisting of eight brands of toothpaste were
evaluated using standard methods and Staphylococcus aureus and Candida albicans as test
organisms. All the toothpastes were sterile, and had some levels of antimicrobial activity at neat
and 10-1 dilutions. Colgate and Signal had the highest zones of inhibition 20mm and 12mm
against Staphylococcus aureus. Colgate and Macleans herbal neat concentration had the highest
inhibition of 11mm and 10mm on Candida albicans. Colgate and Macleans had a minimum
inhibitory concentration greater than 10-3 for Staphylococcus aureus. The other toothpastes
showed minimum inhibitory concentration of 10-1 and 10-2. Close Up herbal and Colgate had
minimum inhibitory concentrations of greater than 10-3 for Candida albicans. At 10-2 dilution,
total bacteria count of colonies increased as the time of exposure increased for most of the
toothpastes. There was however, a general decline in the number of Candida colonies as the time
of exposure increased. The toothpastes reduced and inhibited the test organisms mainly as neat
and at 5 and 10 minutes. It is advocated that brushing the teeth for 5 to 10 minutes will allow for
enough contact time for toothpaste to act on oral microbes and importantly pathogens for
maximum result of good oral hygiene. Further studies on the relationship of brushing mannerism
and toothpaste use culture are necessary. Regular survey of personal care products at the
consumer level is advised to help keep the consumers informed of quality of products and checkmate producers of fake product and thus help stamp out unwholesome product from our
market