Dramatically Improves Oral Health
Many are surprised to learn that essential oils formed the foundation for dental and oral health in the early days of modern dentistry. Clove oil, for example, was used by dentists for decades as a mild anesthetic when working on teeth. And Listerine mouthwash, which was first formulated in 1879 as a surgical antiseptic, was created with key compounds from five essential oils: eucalyptus (eucalyptol), peppermint (menthol), thyme (thymol) and wintergreen (methyl salicylate).
Essential oils possess interesting characteristics when it comes to dental plaque. They seem to be able to dissolve it chemically, even when there is no mechanical brushing or flossing. Further, of course, they add an antiseptic benefit that cannot be equaled in conventional toothpaste.
In 2004, researchers at BioSci Research in Ontario, Canada, conducted research to determine if using an essential oil mouthwash created a significant additional benefit over brushing and flossing alone. They were particularly interested in the effect on the health of gums. The study group included 246 patients with gingivitis which were divided into 3 groups. Group 1 brushed and rinsed with a control mouthwash; Group 2 brushed and flossed with a control mouthwash; and Group 3 brushed and flossed with an essential oils mouthwash. After six months, patients were examined and scored based on their level of dental plaque and the degree of gingivitis. The essential oil group (Group 3) had 30% less dental plaque and 56% less gingivitis than Group 1; it also had 21% less plaque and 52% less gingivitis than Group 2. The study confirmed that even for those who brush and floss regularly, the additional use of an essential oil mouthwash adds a clinically significant additional benefit in reducing plaque and preventing gingivitis. The study results were reported in the Journal of the American Dental Association.1
Another study was performed at Eulji University in South Korea using an EO mouthwash for hospital patients in intensive care. These patients often are unable to perform normal oral hygiene and as a result experience bad breath caused by sulphur compounds in the oral cavity. Researchers created an essential oils solution using tea tree oil, peppermint oil and lemon oil in a dilution. Thirty two ICU patients received a 3 minute oral cleaning with the EO solution on day 1; then on day 2, the patients received a 3 minute oral cleaning with Tantum (a benzydamine hydrochloride solution commonly used by dentists after dental work). Mouth odor and volatile sulphur compound levels were significantly improved after the EO cleaning and were also significantly better than after the Tantum cleaning.2
- Sharma N, et al. “Adjunctive benefit of an essential oil-containing mouthrinse in reducing plaque and gingivitis in patients who brush and floss regularly: a six-month study,” J Am Dent Assoc. 2004 Apr;135(4):496-504.
- Hur MH, et al. “Reduction of mouth malodour and volatile sulphur compounds in intensive care patients using an essential oil mouthwash.” Phytotherapy Research 2007 Jul; 21(7):641-3.
Copyright© March, 2010, VitalScience.org
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