Abstract
HERBS IN DENTAL HEALTH CARE

Herbal medicines have become increasingly popular. The use of natural substances particularly plants to control diseases is a centuries old practice that has led to the discovery of more than half of all modern pharmaceuticals. Documentation of the use of natural substances for medical purposes can be found as far back as 78 A.D .Herbs have demonstrated their efficacy as healing agents for thousands of years Medicinal plants are mentioned in the Indian Ayurvedic system, in Chinese traditional medicine, ancient European materia medica. The use of medicinal herbs has also been mentioned in ancient Egyptian medical literature. Inspite of the fact that herbal medicines are used extensively in the World, only recently attempts have been made to standardize and characterize plant materials. Herbs may be good alternative to current treatments for oral health problems. However, as yet there is lack of information about the effect of herbs in oral diseases. This article provides useful information on the use of herbs in the prevention and treatment of oral diseases.