January 18, 2024
Microorganisms cause various infections and diseases in the human body and are largely pervasive in the nature of contamination, directly or indirectly leading to the transmission of infectious agents. A considerable number of bacterial species have been identified as inhabitants of the oral cavity. Infection control is a major topic of interest in both medical and dental healthcare settings. Although there are many procedures for sterilizing or disinfecting endodontic instruments, they still have some shortcomings. Herbal products have been used in folk medicine since ancient times, spanning both Eastern and Western healing traditions. According to the World Health Organization, herbal medicine is considered a plant material or preparation that consists of raw or processed components from one or more plants with therapeutic values. The presence of phenolic compounds attributed to the antimicrobial activity of several essential oils. Two of my favorite essential oils to support oral health and cleanliness are tea tree and myrrh. A recent laboratory study showed that tea tree essential oil significantly reduces endodontic bacterial colonies, suggesting it helps promote oral cleanliness.