Aim: The inhibitory and antibiofilm effects of Thymus vulgaris (EOTv) and Hyptis spicigera essential oils (EOHs) on cariogenic microorganisms were evaluated. Materials & methods: The chemical characterization of EOTv was performed by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. Streptococcus mutans, Streptococcus gordonii, Streptococcus sanguinis, Streptococcus mitis, Streptococcus sobrinus, Lactobacillus acidophilus and Actinomyces naeslundii were used for agar diffusion assays and determination of minimal inhibitory and minimal bactericide concentrations. In addition, 20 streptococci and lactobacilli clinical isolates were also tested. The effects of essential oil on microbial initial biofilm formation and on preformed microcosm biofilm formed from human saliva were studied. Results & conclusion: Both essential oils had inhibitory effects on the cariogenic species and reduced the bacterial adherence to dental enamel. Essential oils were able to disrupt preformed microcosm biofilms. Thymus vulgaris and Hyptis spicigera essential oils have potential to be used in the development of formulations to the control of cariogenic biofilms.
Keywords: Hyptis spicigera; Thymus vulgaris; biofilms; caries; cariogenic microorganisms; essential oil.