ASSESSING THE EFFECTIVENESS OF HERBAL AND NATURAL REMEDIES IN ORAL DISEASE PRESENTATION

Abstract

The global impact of oral diseases such as dental caries, periodontal disease, and halitosis on billions of people continues to be a serious public health issue. Although traditional treatments like fluoride-based products and antimicrobial mouthwashes are commonly used, interest in alternative natural remedies has increased due to concerns about their long-term safety, rising antibiotic resistance, and high cost. The antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant qualities of herbal remedies such as neem, miswak, turmeric, clove, green tea, and aloe vera have been thoroughly studied in relation to supporting oral health. It has been shown that these treatments are effective in preventing oral pathogens, decreasing gingival inflammation, and managing plaque. They are not widely used in contemporary dentistry, though, due to issues like inconsistent clinical results, unstandardized dosages, and differences in plant composition. The scientific literature on herbal and natural remedies for the prevention of oral disease is critically examined in this review, which also discusses the treatments, mechanisms of action, clinical efficacy, and the need for more research to incorporate them into general dental care.