Natural products’ potential to maintain/ameliorate oral health: A review

Abstract

Many diseases such as human dental caries result in the destruction of tooth structure; dental caries is an infectious disease leading to the destruction of tooth structure due to the acids produced on the fermentation of dietary carbohydrates by acidogenic bacteria. Bacteria colonise non-shedding oral surfaces, and produce lactic, acetic, and formic acids. Preserving tooth structure using fluoride in dental products may have its adverse effects on human health. The use of fluoride-containing dental products without supervision in children when the teeth are developing can lead to fluorosis. Therefore, the main aim of the present review was to identify natural oral healthcare products having minimum or no adverse effects in maintaining the integrity of tooth enamel. The active compounds observed in the natural plant products till date are polyphenolic compounds which contain antibacterial effects, and a potential to shift demineralisation to remineralisation. But their mechanism of action remain unclear. Therefore, further studies are needed to determine the effectiveness of these natural products and enhance their effect.