Oral malodor or halitosis is mainly caused by microbial degradation of proteins into volatile sulfur compounds by oral pathogens such as Porphyromonas gingivalis, Fusobacterium nucleatum, and Streptococcus mutans. Synthetic oral antimicrobial agents are effective but may cause adverse effects including tooth staining and mucosal irritation. Therefore, plant-derived antimicrobials are increasingly investigated as safer alternatives for oral healthcare products. This review summarizes recent SCI- and Scopus-indexed studies on the antimicrobial activity of rose (Rosa damascena), hibiscus (Hibiscus sabdariffa), and sunflower (Helianthus annuus) against oral malodor-producing microorganisms. Hibiscus extracts exhibited strong antibiofilm and antibacterial activity against P. gingivalis and S. mutans due to high anthocyanin and polyphenol contents. Rose extracts demonstrated antibacterial and deodorizing properties suitable for mouth fresheners and oral rinses. Sunflower extracts showed moderate antimicrobial and antioxidant activities. The reviewed studies suggest that floral extracts possess promising potential for application in herbal chewing gums, mouthwashes, and oral fresheners. Further clinical investigations are necessary for commercialization and therapeutic validation.
Saini et al. (Fri,) studied this question.