Essential Oils in Treatment and Management of Dental Diseases

Abstract

Essential oils have considerable potential as a preventive and therapeutic agent against various oral diseases and, in particular dental diseases. Wider potential of essential oils as an antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory agent is mainly responsible for their use in dental diseases. In the present review article, commonly used essential oils in dentistry have been explained systematically. The therapeutic efficacies of different essential oils in different dental diseases, viz. periodontitis, dental erosion, dental caries, dental pain, gingivitis, and plaque, have been discussed extensively. Finally, patents filed by various innovators on essential oils-based formulations and their applications in dental care have been well tabulated. In conclusion, essential oils have significant the potential for the management and treatment of various dental diseases. However, various preclinical and clinical studies supporting the safety and efficacy of essential oils must be performed for regulatory compliance and commercial exploitation of essential oil-based formulations.