Ayurveda in dentistry

Herbs are usually safe if used with proper knowledge, but they can be harmful if misused. In vitro studies indicate that many Asian botanical formulae, including their individual herbal compounds and chemical constituents, exhibit antibacterial and antifungal properties, which may significantly delay the development of plaque, calculus and caries. While anti cariogenic and anti calculus activities for some of these substances have been demonstrated in animal models. However, results from human clinical trials have been inconclusive. Hence herbs should be used for treatment procedures that have been established to be effective and with minimal risk involved.In vitro studies suggest that a variety of botanicals commonly used in traditional Indian medicine have the potential for use as agents for prevention of caries and periodontal diseases. Herbal extracts have been successfully used in dentistry as tooth cleaning and antimicrobial plaque agents. The natural phyto chemicals could an effective alternative to antibiotics and represent a promising approach in prevention and therapeutic strategies for dental caries and other oral infections.