Objectives: Dental caries is an infectious disease resulting in demineralization of tooth structure. Streptococcus mutans ( S.mutans) is involved in the initiation of dental caries while lactobacillus is associated with the progression of caries . Numerous chemicals and antibiotics are being used as antibacterial agents against oral pathogenic bacteria. Neverthless chemicals possess many adverse effects such as microorganisms getting tolerance, developing resistance, vomiting, diarrhea and teeth staining. Recently, a natural resin, ‘Mastic' gum have raised interest in medicine as the public is more aware of the potential hazardous side- effects of conventional medications. Methods: ‘Mastic' gum; the concrete resinous exudate from the stem of the tree Pistacia lentiscus Linn was used to test the antibacterial properties against Strep.mutans, lactobacillus and total microflora of saliva in vivo. 14 female, 11 male 25 volunteers took part in this study and the short-term antibacterial effect of Mastic was tested. The samples were collected before chewing, just after spitting the gum and by 30 minutes intervals at 45th, 75th, 105th and 135th minutes subsequently. Results: Mastic gum demonstrated an antibacterial effect on salivary cariogenic bacteria. The mean salivary total bacterial count was 25 x 107 at baseline and reduced to 15x107 just after chewing. The amount went on decreasing until 105th minute. 54% reduction in S.mutans counts were found just after Mastic chewing. Reduction werü on until the 135th minute after spitting Mastic. The mean salivary lactobacilli count was 7040 at baseline and showed a slight increase to 7064 just after chewing Mastic. But later it also went on decreasing until 105th minute. Conclusions: All values obtained after application of Mastic were found significant according to Wilcoxon Sign Rank test (p<0.05). As for the clinical significance it can be said that Mastic gum bears antibacterial activity against cariogenic oral bacteria.

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