Antimicrobial properties of essential oils and their application in dentistry

The most common diseases in dentistry - dental caries, periodontal diseases, root canal infections have known bacterial causes. To a large extent, success in prevention and treatment depends on the application of effective antimicrobial agents. Typically, this includes products such as chlorhexidine, hyaluronic acid, triclosan, fluorides, alcohols, or a combination thereof However, chemically synthesized products are also characterized by certain disadvantages in use - tooth discoloration, change in taste, dryness, burning sensation, risk of allergies and more. In 2019, the WHO published a report in which it alerted about the increasing resistance of microorganisms to the antimicrobial agents widely used in modern medicine. This draws attention to alternative methods of influencing, some of which have long been known Essential oils (EO) are lipophilic liquids obtained by steam distillation or cold pressing from different parts of plants. Some of them have strong antibacterial, antifungal and antiviral properties. Numerous studies of these properties in recent years have shown that EO can be an effective tool for the prevention and treatment of caries, periodontal disease, candidiasis, halitosis and others with minimal risk of side effects. Along with the well-known in dentistry cloves (eugenol as the main ingredient), the use of other EO and their ingredients in antimicrobial therapy against oral pathogens will be discussed - cinnamon, mint, basil, miswak, myrrh, tea tree.