Review article: activity of plant extract Ocimum sp. against Streptococcus mutans cause of dental caries

Dental caries is one of the most common dental and oral diseases in humans. The most common cause of dental caries is the gram-positive bacterium Streptococcus mutans. Dental caries can be prevented by brushing teeth and giving antibacterial. Traditional plants have proven to be better sources in the search for new antibacterial compounds. Herbal plants that have antibacterial potential include basil (Ocimum sp.) which thrives in Indonesia. There are several types of plants Ocimum sp. including Ocimum basilicum, Ocimum americanum, and Ocimum sanctum. This research was conducted using a literature review method. The three types of Ocimum extract have the potential to an antibacterial against Streptococcus mutans. Ocimum basilicum extract has moderate to strong antibacterial activity with an inhibition zone value of 6.9-10.26 mm, Ocimum americanum extract has a strong inhibition zone of 17.5 mm and Ocimum sanctum extract has a strong-very strong inhibition zone of 12-22 mm. Among the 3 types of Ocimum sp., Ocimum sanctum extract in 100% ethanol solvent tested by the well method had the strongest activity and effectiveness to inhibit Streptococcus mutans with an inhibition zone value of 22 mm at a concentration of 4%..