Application and availability of indigenous, commercially available medicines in periodontology

Abstract

Across the globe, there has been increasing interest in the study of medicinal plants and its use in ailing various oral diseases including periodontal disease. Various antibiotics such as tetracycline, amoxicillin, penicillin, and metronidazole and antiseptics such as chlorhexidine are commonly used in periodontal diseases, but they have many side effects. While indigenous medicine has not only less side effects but can also be effective in regulating the systemic conditions that have been associated with periodontal diseases such as diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. These natural extracts contain phytochemical compounds which have anti-inflammatory property, prevent bleeding, and antimicrobial properties. Several plant extracts such as curcumin, green tea, and neem have shown promising results in the field of periodontics. However, in the current scenario, the biggest challenge is the significant gap in research and lack of information regarding its interaction with the oral tissue, mechanism of action, and side effects. This study gives an insight into the current use of available herbal medicines that have been readily used in dental treatment particularly periodontal disease. It also gives information regarding the availability of these drugs through various platforms. It can be concluded that indigenous remedies have potential benefits in controlling plaque and inflammation as adjuncts to daily oral hygiene in patients with periodontitis gingivitis.