Phytotherapeutics in the management of periodontal disease - A review

Phytotherapy is the usage of herbal species with medicinal properties for the management of various diseases. Gingivitis and periodontitis are diseases that involve the role of both the bacteria and the host immune response. Over the years, various researches have shown the importance of herbal products in the management of periodontal diseases. Plants have phytochemicals such as alkaloids, essential oils, flavonoids, and tannins that have strong antimicrobial activity and used as an anti-inflammatory, antibiotic, analgesic, and antioxidative agents. The aim of this review is to provide the current literature to validate the traditional use of medicinal plants in the management of periodontal diseases.