Polyphenols as Natural Therapeutics for Dental Infections and Oral Inflammation: Mechanisms and Clinical Perspectives.

Authors

Deepa Subramanian, Divya Krishnamoorthi, Gowtham Kannan, Benedict Mathews Paul

Published in

Chemistry & biodiversity. Volume 23. Issue 10. Pages e71818.

Abstract

Oral diseases such as dental caries, periodontitis, denture-related stomatitis, and oral mucositis are prevalent global health concerns primarily driven by microbial dysbiosis and chronic inflammation. Conventional treatments, including antibiotics and mechanical plaque control, have limitations due to antimicrobial resistance and adverse effects. Polyphenols, a diverse class of bioactive phytochemicals, exhibit promising antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties that can be leveraged for oral health management. This review explores the therapeutic potential of polyphenols in targeting key pathogenic mechanisms associated with oral diseases. Polyphenols exert antimicrobial effects by disrupting bacterial membrane integrity, inhibiting biofilm formation, and interfering with quorum sensing pathways of oral pathogens such as Streptococcus mutans and Porphyromonas gingivalis. Additionally, their anti-inflammatory properties involve modulation of NF-κB signaling, suppression of pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, TNF-α, COX-2), and attenuation of oxidative stress through upregulation of endogenous antioxidants. Polyphenols also influence oral microbiota composition, promoting a balanced microbial ecosystem that supports oral health. However, challenges such as poor bioavailability, stability, and interindividual variability in response remain major hurdles. Advances in nanotechnology and controlled-release systems offer promising strategies to enhance polyphenol efficacy in dental applications. Further research is needed to optimize their formulation, delivery, and clinical validation to establish evidence-based polyphenol-based interventions in dentistry.

PMID:
42855922
Bibliographic data and abstract were imported from PubMed on 10 Oct 2026.

Read full publication at:
Please sign in to see all details.

Stats

1-terrible, 9-excellent. How would you rate this publication? Sign in in to submit your rating.

Post a comment

You need to be signed in to post comments. You can sign in here.

Comments

There are no comments yet.