Herbs Used in the Treatment of Periodontal Disease: A Review

Periodontal disease is a chronic inflammatory disease of the supporting structures of the teeth, which is mainly caused by dental plaque-associated biofilms and mainly by over- or excessive host immune inflammatory responses. Gingivitis can progress to periodontitis, which causes alveolar bone loss and destruction of the surrounding connective tissue, which can cause tooth loss. Conventional periodontal therapy (scaling, root planning, and antimicrobial agents) is effective but has some limitations, such as partial removal of biofilm, side effects and resistance to the antimicrobial agents. These challenges have increased increase interest in alternative and adjunctive therapeutic approaches. The safety, low cost and the vast array of biological activities have made phytotherapy a topic of interest. This review summarizes the pathogenesis of periodontal disease and the anti-pathogenic and anti-host-mediated tissue damage effect of the commonly used medical herbs—neem, turmeric, clove, ginger, liquorice, pomegranate, Tulsi, sage, rosemary, and barberry—containing bioactive compounds with antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and immunomodulatory activities. There is evidence that herbal products can be used as useful complementary treatments for the prevention and treatment of periodontal disease.