Potential applications of medicinal herbs and phytochemicals in oral and dental health: Status quo and future perspectives

Oral Dis. 2023 Oct;29(7):2468-2482. doi: 10.1111/odi.14276. Epub 2022 Jun 26.

Abstract

Objective: Herbal therapies are utilized to treat a broad diversity of diseases all over the globe. Although no clinical studies have been conducted to demonstrate the antibacterial, antimicrobial, and antiplaque characteristics of these plants, this does not imply that they are ineffectual as periodontal treatments or anti-cariogenic drugs. However, there is a scarcity of research confirming their efficacy and worth.

Subject: Herbs are utilized in dentistry as antimicrobial, antineoplastic, antiseptic, antioxidant, and analgesics agents as well as for the elimination of bad breath. In addition, the application of herbal agents in tissue engineering improved the regeneration of oral and dental tissues. This study reviews the application of medicinal herbs for the treatment of dental and oral diseases in different aspects.

Methods: This article focuses on current developments in the use of medicinal herbs and phytochemicals in oral and dental health. An extensive literature review was conducted via an Internet database, mostly PubMed. The articles included full-text publications written in English without any restrictions on a date.

Conclusion: Plants have been suggested, as an alternate remedy for oral-dental problems, and this vocation needs long-term dependability. More research on herbal medicine potential as pharmaceutical sources and/or therapies is needed.

Keywords: dentistry; herbal therapy; oral diseases.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • Anti-Infective Agents*
  • Phytochemicals / pharmacology
  • Phytochemicals / therapeutic use
  • Phytotherapy
  • Plants, Medicinal*

Substances

  • Anti-Infective Agents
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • Phytochemicals