Antibacterial and antifungal effectiveness of Virgin Coconut Oil (VCO) mousse against Streptococcus mutans and Candida albicans biofilms

Early childhood caries (ECC) is a common chronic disease in children < 72 months old and is characterized by destruction of tooth tissue caused by multiple factors, including accumulation of biofilm dental plaque, Streptoccus mutans, and Candida albicans. We analyzed the effectiveness of virgin coconut oil (VCO) mousse at concentrations of 0.8%, 8%, and 80% against S. mutans and C. albicans biofilms in children with ECC. Cell viability was analyzed to estimate the growth of biofilm cells using crystal violet 0.5% in 96-well plates and colony-forming units to count S. mutans colonies in brain heart infusion broth and C. albicans in saborous dextrose agar (SDA) medium. Intergroup trials were analyzed by one-way analysis of variance (p < 0.05). Viability tests of 80% VCO mousse showed different statistical significance results compared with 0.8% and 8% VCO mousse and equal results to casein phosphopeptide-amorphous calcium phosphate. VCO mousse 80% was effective as an antibacterial and antifungal agent, especially on microbes that cause ECC.