Traditional medicine is often grounded in plant-based interventions, using local flora to address health concerns and maintain well-being. Approximately 80% of the world’s population uses herbal medicine, particularly individuals living in rural and low-income regions. These communities frequently experience higher rates of oral diseases and often lack access to proper healthcare services.
Natural compounds derived from plants have shown promising results in preserving dental health and reducing the prevalence of oral diseases. Their antimicrobial and antioxidant properties suggest considerable potential for controlling dental caries and serving as complementary components of routine oral care protocols. Herbal healing strategies often adopt a more holistic approach to dental health, offering accessible care services and effective dental care.
Advancing research on traditional oral health interventions could help address both the global dental public health crisis and persistent healthcare disparities. Traditional remedies are often significantly less expensive than their biomedical counterparts and may be accessible through alternative payment arrangements, including credit or labor-based compensation. As herbal healing becomes an increasingly prominent component of dental healthcare, clinical research and literature reviews continue to strengthen the evidence base supporting the efficacy of plant-based interventions. The following five studies exemplify the success of traditional healing strategies worldwide in mediating dental diseases and reducing healthcare inequality.
The first study explored whether integrating Chinese herbal medicines (CHMs) with routine treatments for Sjogren’s Syndrome (SS) could reduce the likelihood of developing dental diseases (DD). SS is a chronic autoimmune disease that increases susceptibility to dental diseases. This heightened risk stems from damage to the salivary glands, which reduces saliva production and, consequently, increases the incidence of dental caries, pulpitis, gingivitis, and other oral conditions. The study recruited 586 participants diagnosed with SS who had experienced some form of DD, alongside 586 individuals who served as non-DD controls. Results demonstrated that the addition of CHMs to routine SS treatment was significantly correlated with lower rates of DD. Participants receiving CHM treatment for over 1 year exhibited a 44% reduction in DD susceptibility, indicating a dose-dependent effect: longer treatment duration was associated with better outcomes. These findings showed that embedding CHMs into routine SS treatment may help prevent subsequent dental diseases and support the integration of diverse healing systems within existing biomedical frameworks.
The second study reviewed and critically analyzed existing research on the use of phytochemicals derived from plant-based compounds to manage dental caries. Dental caries is a noncommunicable disease and a major global public health issue, affecting approximately 3.5 billion people worldwide. This study reviewed 31 articles suggesting that several plant-based compounds exhibit notable antibacterial effects against Streptococcus mutans and other bacteria associated with dental caries. Findings indicated that herbal extracts possess significant antimicrobial and antibiofilm properties against oral pathogens, highlighting their potential integration into oral healthcare products and treatment strategies. The authors emphasized the need for further research to validate the safety and efficacy of plant extracts in clinical settings. Nevertheless, natural compounds are promising preventive agents for dental caries, offering an effective and sustainable approach to improving oral health worldwide.
The third article explored the potential of green tea (Camellia sinensis) in managing periodontal disease, which is often characterized by inflammation, microbial imbalances, and tissue deterioration. Traditionally used in ancient Asian healing systems throughout China, Japan, Korea, and India, green tea was employed to control bleeding, aid digestion, stimulate attention, and regulate body temperature. Today, its bioactive components, particularly epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), demonstrate promising potential to inhibit bacterial adhesion and modulate inflammatory pathways involved in dental diseases. Clinical studies have found that regular consumption of green tea may serve as an effective supplement to mechanical periodontal treatment by helping maintain healthy gums and reducing periodontal pocket depth and bleeding. Despite moderate efficacy compared with established biomedical treatments, these findings reinforce green tea as a sustainable and biocompatible approach to periodontal therapy.
The fourth study reviewed scientific literature to identify Latin American medicinal plants with therapeutic potential in dental health. This review also examined the clinical and ethnobotanical applications of plant species with anti-inflammatory, healing, and relaxing properties for dental-related conditions. Among the 63 studies analyzed, Aloe vera and propolis had the strongest clinical evidence supporting their efficacy in dental care. However, rosemary, moringa, and basil were also widely represented as species with high therapeutic potential. Collectively, these medicinal plants demonstrated strong empirical support for their potential in dental therapy and the management of periodontal inflammation and oral disease. Additional research must be pursued on the latter plant species to provide stronger clinical validation. The authors concluded that advancing the understanding and application of Latin American herbal remedies in dental care requires both rigorous validation through randomized controlled trials and sustainable sourcing practices to ensure that phytotherapy remains safe, effective, and accessible.
The fifth study reviewed 13 articles concerning the use of traditional medicine for oral healthcare in Africa. The review aimed to highlight existing literature and identify knowledge gaps in oral healthcare frameworks across various African countries. All 13 studies were either experimental investigations or ethnobotanical surveys examining the effects of plants and plant extracts on cariogenic or periodontopathogenic organisms. Ethnobotanical studies, in particular, emphasized the widespread use of plant-based products, often applied topically or used as mouth rinses, to manage dental caries, caries-related conditions, and periodontal diseases. Among the compiled findings, the Solanaceae family was the most commonly used plant family for managing oral diseases. Although the study sought primarily to identify common African traditional healing strategies, researchers also concluded that these interventions were not only effective but also often more affordable than biomedical alternatives, with payment options more conducive to populations experiencing socioeconomic disparities. The study called for further development of the clinical evidence base for traditional oral healthcare practices to promote equal access to oral health services in low-income African countries.
