Clove oil, derived from the clove plant, has garnered attention for its potential applications in oral care. Several scientific studies have explored its properties and efficacy in this domain, reflecting a growing interest in natural remedies for maintaining dental health. These investigations examine whether clove oil can offer beneficial therapeutic approaches for oral hygiene and periodontal health.
Protocols Studied in Research
[1] The Effectiveness of Herbal Versus Non-Herbal Mouthwash for Periodontal Health: A Literature Review. (Cited by: 0) (PMID: 36120261)
- Protocol: A systematic literature review searching PubMed and Cochrane Library for randomized controlled trials published between 2001 and 2021, evaluating herbal versus non-herbal mouthwashes for periodontal health using keywords including 'clove oil'.
- Outcome: Herbal mouthwashes appeared to be as effective as non-herbal mouthwashes in reducing dental plaque in the short term, though evidence was based on low-quality trials with some studies showing no significant difference in efficacy.
Research Interpretation: Summary and Conclusion
The available evidence regarding clove oil's effectiveness in oral care is limited and presents mixed findings. A single systematic literature review (PMID 36120261) examined herbal mouthwashes, which would include clove oil formulations, compared to non-herbal alternatives for periodontal health. The review suggested that herbal mouthwashes may be comparable to non-herbal mouthwashes for short-term dental plaque reduction. However, this conclusion is significantly limited by the low quality of the underlying trials.
The evidence presents contradictory outcomes, with some studies within the review finding no significant difference in effectiveness between herbal and non-herbal mouthwashes. The review did not specify the population studied, nor did it detail variations in protocols or differing outcomes beyond plaque reduction. The lack of high-quality clinical trials specifically focusing on clove oil as a standalone intervention further limits the ability to draw definitive conclusions about its oral care benefits.
While there is a suggestion of comparable efficacy between herbal and non-herbal mouthwashes, the low quality of evidence prevents definitive conclusions about clove oil's effectiveness in oral care applications. Future research should focus on conducting high-quality randomized controlled trials specifically examining clove oil's efficacy in oral hygiene, with larger sample sizes, diverse populations, and comprehensive outcome measures including gingivitis reduction, antimicrobial effects, and long-term safety profiles.
Publications
[1] Tidke S; Chhabra GK; Madhu PP; Reche A; Wazurkar S; Singi SR (2022). The Effectiveness of Herbal Versus Non-Herbal Mouthwash for Periodontal Health: A Literature Review Cureus 14 (8) :e27956. (PMID: 36120261)
