Aqueous and ethanolic extracts of 12 most-preferred Nigerian indigenous chewing-sticks were assayed for in vitro antimycotic potentials against 86 human oral Candida species isolated from tongues, teeth and saliva. The oral Candida strains were not species-specific as regards their sources of isolation but recovery rates were C. albicans (43), C. glabrata (5), C. pseudotropicalis (10) and C. tropicalis (28). In vitro susceptibility rates of [C. albicans (8.3-58.3%), C. glabrata (8.3-33.3%), C. pseudotropicalis (8.3-25.0%), C. tropicalis (8.3-50.0%)] and [C. albicans (8.3-83.3%), C. glabrata (16.7-66.7%), C. pseudotropicalis (8.3-75.0%), C. tropicalis (8.3-66.7%)] were recorded respectively among the oral Candida strains towards aqueous and ethanolic extracts of the chewing-sticks. In vitro inhibitory activities of each aqueous chewing-stick extract were, Massularia acuminata (0.0-20.0%), Fagara xanthoxyloides / Zanthoxylum xanthoxyloides (0.0-23.3%), Pseudocedrela kotschyi (10.0-23.3%), Parquetina nigrescen (20.0-25.0%), Distemonanthus benthamianus (0.0-27.9%), Garcinia cola (0.0-28.6%), meyinro (16.3- 28.6%), Terminalia avicenniordes (0.0-30.0%), Vernonia amygdalina (20.0-37.2%), Terminalia glaucescens (18.6- 40.0%) and Periscopsis laxiflora / Prosopis africana, Olax subscorpioide (20.0-40.0%). Relatively higher susceptibility rates were exhibited by ethanolic extracts of Fagara xanthoxyloides / Zanthoxylum xanthoxyloides (0.0-23.3%), Pseudocedrela kotschyi (0.0-25.0%), Olax subscorpioide (20.0-34.9%), Parquetina nigrescen (0.0- 37.2%), Periscopsis laxiflora / Prosopis africana (14.3-40.0%), Massularia acuminata (0.0-53.6%), Garcinia cola (17.9-60.0%), Distemonanthus benthamianus, Vernonia amygdalina (20.0-60.0%), Terminalia glaucescens (30.0- 60.0%) and Terminalia avicenniordes (27.9-70.0%) chewing sticks. The findings of this study indicated the phenotypic potentials of Nigerian chewing sticks as adjunct cleansing agents in oral hygiene, which is of clinical relevance in dentistry.
