Is there a role for herbal medicine in the treatment and management of periodontal disease?

Periodontal disease is an inflammatory condition of the tissues of the periodontium that affects up to 90% of the world's population. Emerging antibiotic and antimicrobial resistance in oral biofilms has sparked off an increased interest in the potential of medicinal plants to treat periodontal pathologies. The last decade has seen a surge in numbers of in vitro and in vivo studies on herbs traditionally used for their anti-bacterial properties in ethno-pharmacological applications. This review paper assesses the current status and role of medicinal plants in the treatment and management of periodontal disease.