Vol 11, Issue 2, 2018 Online - 2455-3891 Print - 0974-2441 ANTIBACTERIAL EFFECT OF VIRGIN COCONUT OIL ON (ACTINOMYCES SP.) THAT CAUSES DENTAL BLACK STAIN IN CHILDREN PRISCILLA LAVINE, EVA FAUZIAH * , MOCHAMAD FAHLEVI RIZAL, SARWORINI BAGIO BUDIARDJO Department of Pediatric Dentistry, Faculty of Dentistry, Universitas Indonesia, Jakarta, Indonesia. Email: eva_dens@yahoo.com Received: 18 October 2017, Revised and Accepted: 20 November 2017 ABSTRACT Objective: This study aimed to assess the effectiveness of virgin coconut oil (VCO) as a natural antibacterial agent to reduce the viability of the chromogenic bacteria Actinomyces sp., which causes dental black stains. Methods: Actinomyces sp. was isolated from the saliva of a child diagnosed with black stain. Each streak of bacteria was cultured on a selective medium Actinomyces agar and confirmed visually and through a gram staining procedure. Each bacterial culture was exposed to VCO in concentrations of 12.5%, 25%, 50%, and 100%. Afterward, viability testing with a methyl-thiazolyl-tetrazolium assay was conducted, and the results were read using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay reader. Results: The reduction of bacterial viability of Actinomyces sp. showed a significant difference between the negative control group and the groups treated with various concentrations of VCO 12.5%, 25%, 50%, and 100%. Conclusion: The minimum concentration of VCO necessary to kill Actinomyces sp. is VCO 12.5%. Keywords: Actinomyces sp., Dental black stain, Virgin coconut oil. INTRODUCTION Dental black stain is a type of extrinsic discoloration related to clinical and esthetic problems that can occur at any age on primary and permanent teeth [1]. This type of pigmentation is a special form of dental plaque that contains insoluble iron salt and a high content of calcium and phosphate. The black material that is seen is a ferric salt (ferric sulfide) formed by the reaction between hydrogen sulfide that is produced by bacterial action and the iron present in saliva or gingival exudates [1,2]. Chromogenic bacteria such as Actinomyces sp. and Prevotella melaninogenica, which produce black color pigmentations, are suspected to be the cause of the staining. Of the bacteria that can be isolated from black stains, 90% are facultative aerobic and anaerobic Gram-positive rods, which are identified as Actinomyces sp. [3]. Black stain is defined as a thin, black deposit in a narrow line above the free gingiva. It can also present as distinct, dark dots that extend beyond the cervical third of the crown, sometimes affecting pits and fissures [4]. A previous study was conducted in 2012 on saliva samples from 15 children with black stain and saliva samples on 15 children without black stain in Jakarta. This study showed that the quantity of Actinomyces sp. in the saliva of children with black stain is higher than it is in children without black stain. However, it was also found that the quantity of Actinomyces sp. in the saliva of children did not differ significantly between those with black stain and those without black stain [5]. The cleaning procedure required for the treatment of black stain can be challenging to dentists, especially when the black stain is deposited on pit and fissure areas of the tooth. Even when removal through ultrasonic scaling and polishing with a rubber cup and fluoride pumice have been performed, black stain tends to recur, regardless of the patient’s good oral hygiene [3]. Therefore, an antibacterial agent is required to inhibit the growth of the chromogenic bacteria that cause black stain. Antibacterial mouthrinse has been considered an effective method in controlling dental plaque. These antibacterial agents may be derived from chemical compounds or natural ingredients. Evidence in the dental literature supports chlorhexidine as the gold standard of biofilm- preventing antiplaque and antigingivitis agents [6]. An alternative antibacterial agent can be obtained from coconuts, allowing for the use of natural ingredients to promote dental health. Virgin coconut oil (VCO) is taken from the flesh of fresh coconuts (Cocos nucifera) without the application of heat, a process which avoids any alteration of the oil so that the main components such as vitamins, antioxidants, and polyphenols remain in the VCO. Unlike any other cooking oil, VCO does not undergo chemical refining, bleaching, and deodorizing process. VCO appears as clear oil, which has a distinct coconut scent [7,8]. A number of fatty acids were detected within the oil, namely caproic, caprylic, capric, lauric, myristic, palmitic, stearic, oleic, and linoleic acid. However, lauric acid has highest percentage of about 47% in VCO [8]. Lauric acid, the main component of VCO, has antibacterial, antivirus, and antiprotozoal effects. Lauric acid can kill gram-positive bacteria by damaging the bacterial cell membrane, resulting in membrane lysis and inhibited bacterial growth [9,10]. Studies that focus on black stain and its treatment are rarely found in the dental literature. The aim of this study was to assess the antibacterial effects of various concentrations of VCO on the viability of Actinomyces sp., which causes dental black stain in children. METHODS This study was an in vitro laboratory experiment that tested the viability of Actinomyces sp. after the administration of VCO in various concentrations. With approval from the ethical committee of the Faculty of Dentistry Universitas Indonesia, the subjects, children diagnosed with dental black stain, were identified. The inclusion criteria were as follows: children aged 4–11 years with a good oral condition, the presence of black stain on at least 10 teeth enamel surfaces, and © 2018 The Authors. Published by Innovare Academic Sciences Pvt Ltd. This is an open access article under the CC BY license (http://creativecommons. org/licenses/by/4. 0/) DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.22159/ajpcr.2018.v11i2.23199 Research Article