Tooth Decay

Why it works: Proposed mechanism: Prolonged swishing may mechanically disrupt plaque and lower certain oral bacteria counts; coconut oil contains lauric acid, which has antimicrobial properties....

Instructions: Place ~1 tablespoon of edible oil (commonly coconut or sesame) in your mouth.. Gently swish/pull it through the teeth and around the mouth.. Duration used in traditions and studies...

Warnings: Aspiration/lung risk (rare but serious): Case reports link habitual oil pulling (including sesame oi...

Studies: Systematic reviews/meta-analyses:A 2020 systematic review co...

Why it works: Antibacterial against caries bacteria. Green-tea catechins—especially EGCG—impair Streptococcus mutans growth, acid production and adhesion by inhibiting enzymes like glucosyltrans...

Instructions: Options backed by clinical studies. Green-tea mouthrinse (standardized extract). • Trials in children used 0.5% green-tea extract rinsed twice daily for 1–2 weeks, showing reductio...

Warnings: Do not rely on green tea alone. For caries prevention/treatment, fluoride remains first-line (varnis...

Studies: Systematic reviews / overviewsSystematic review and meta-ana...

Why it works: Targets cariogenic bacteria and virulence. Licorice flavonoids such as licoricidin and glabridin inhibit S. mutans growth, biofilm formation, acid production, dextran synthesis, an...

Instructions: Sugar-free licorice-extract lollipop (children):. • Dose & duration: 1 lollipop twice daily for 3 weeks (each 10 g lollipop contained 10 mg licorice extract). Children were high ca...

Warnings: Licorice contains glycyrrhizin, which can cause pseudoaldosteronism → sodium retention, low potassiu...

Studies: In vitro / mechanisticLicoricidin and glabridin suppress mul...

Why it works: Antibacterial & antibiofilm activity vs. cariogenic bacteria. Curcumin inhibits Streptococcus mutans (a key caries pathogen) and disrupts biofilms (plaque). Lab and ex-vivo studies...

Instructions: Curcumin mouthrinse for plaque/gingivitis (indirect caries benefit). • What’s been studied: 0.1% curcumin mouthwash, typically 10–15 mL, rinse 30–60 s, 2× daily for 2–4 weeks, ofte...

Warnings: Daily oral hygiene remains primary: brush 2× daily with fluoride toothpaste; clean interdentally; li...

Studies: Randomized double-blind clinical trial (orthodontic patients...

Why it works: Strengthens and stabilizes dentin collagen. GSE is rich in proanthocyanidins (PACs) that cross-link and stabilize the collagen scaffold inside dentin. That can make demineralized d...

Instructions: There is no standardized, dentist-endorsed dosing regimen for home treatment of caries with GSE. What we know comes mainly from lab protocols:. • Dentin/root caries models: A 6.5%...

Warnings: Do not replace proven caries care. Fluoride toothpaste/varnish, diet/sugar control, sealants, and pr...

Studies: Root/dentin remineralization (in vitro): • Xie, Bedran-Russo...

Why it works: Triphala's effectiveness in oral health can be attributed to its multifaceted properties:. • Antimicrobial Activity: Triphala demonstrates broad-spectrum antibacterial effects agai...

Instructions: To utilize Triphala effectively for oral health:. • Preparation: Dilute Triphala powder in warm water to create a mouthwash solution.. • Application: Rinse the mouth with the solut...

Warnings: While Triphala is generally considered safe, certain precautions should be observed:. • Potential Si...

Studies: Several studies have evaluated the efficacy of Triphala in o...

Why it works: Antibacterial activity against caries bacteria. In vitro and clinical studies show neem leaf/bark extracts can inhibit Streptococcus mutans (the primary caries-associated bacterium...

Instructions: Mouthwash (typical research protocols):. • Use a prepared neem mouthrinse (leaf extract–based), not homemade oil.. • Dose & frequency used in trials: 10–15 mL, swish for 30 seconds...

Warnings: Do not ingest neem oil. Oral ingestion (especially in children) has caused toxic encephalopathy, sei...

Studies: Caries-related bacteria / early lesionsIndian Journal of Den...

Why it works: Disrupts dental plaque (mechanical action). The fibrous tip works like bristles to physically break up biofilm that drives both gingivitis and caries. Multiple randomized trials sh...

Instructions: These steps are drawn from peer-reviewed, dental-school protocols and classic clinical guidance:. 1. Select & prepare the stick. • Choose fresh S. persica (root or twig) that’s sup...

Warnings: Not a cure for existing decay. If you see holes, pain, or sensitivity that lingers, seek dental care...

Studies: Plaque/gingivitis (short-term clinical trials)Randomized con...

Why it works: Targets cariogenic bacteria (esp. Streptococcus mutans). Pomegranate peel is rich in ellagitannins (notably punicalagin) and other polyphenols that inhibit growth of oral bacteria...

Instructions: If you choose to try it, model your use on what studies actually tested:. Mouthrinse made from pomegranate peel extract (PPE), 0.05%. • 10 mL rinse, twice daily, swish for 30 secon...

Warnings: Avoid frequent sipping of pomegranate juice. Juice is acidic and (if sweetened) sugary—both raise ri...

Studies: Systematic review (2025) of pomegranate mouthwashes for cari...

Why it works: Anti-cariogenic chemistry (gallotannins: gallic acid, methyl gallate). Extracts and key compounds inhibit Streptococcus mutans growth, acid production, adhesion, and biofilm format...

Instructions: There is no widely accepted, licensed, at-home “Galla chinensis treatment” for dental caries. Where you’ll realistically encounter it is as an ingredient in research formulations (...

Warnings: Evidence gap: Galla chinensis is not an approved stand-alone caries “treatment.” Evidence is promisi...

Studies: Strongest evidence: in-vitro / in-situ and mechanistic studi...

What It Is. Kushen, scientifically known as Sophora flavescens, is a traditional Chinese medicinal herb derived from the dried roots of the plant. It belongs to the legume family (...

Why it works: Antimicrobial & anti-biofilm activity (esp. vs. S. mutans): Propolis extracts inhibit growth of key cariogenic bacteria and can reduce salivary/biofilm Streptococcus mutans counts,...

Instructions: Mouthrinse: In a triple-blind RCT (n=120), participants used ethanolic propolis mouthrinse twice daily for 3 months after a professional cleaning; this reduced S. mutans and plaque...

Warnings: Allergy risk (especially to bee products): Propolis is a recognized contact allergen and can cause a...

Studies: Mouthrinse RCT: Propolis vs chlorhexidine vs water; twice da...

Why it works: What vitamin C does: It’s required for collagen synthesis and wound healing and acts as an antioxidant. Deficiency (scurvy) commonly causes swollen, bleeding gums; correcting the d...

Instructions: Meet—but don’t exceed—daily needs: Adults typically need ~75 mg/day (women) and 90 mg/day (men); smokers need +35 mg/day. Food first (citrus, berries, capsicum, brassicas). Supplem...

Warnings: Upper limit (UL): Adults 19+ years: 2,000 mg/day. High doses commonly cause GI upset (nausea, cramps...

Studies: Systematic review (periodontitis adjunct): Found limited or...

Why it works: Mineral balance for remineralisation. Vitamin D increases intestinal absorption of calcium and phosphate, maintaining serum levels that support enamel/dentin mineralisation. That’s...

Instructions: If you want to leverage vitamin D for caries prevention or to support remineralisation of early lesions:. Aim for sufficiency, not mega-dosing.. • Typical daily intake targets (RDA...

Warnings: Upper limits & toxicity. Avoid chronic intakes above the UL (adults: 4,000 IU/day) unless supervised...

Studies: Historic controlled trials (1920s–40s) meta-analysed: A 2012...

Why it works: Antimicrobial activity vs. “cavity” bacteria. TTO (especially the component terpinen-4-ol) inhibits growth, adhesion, and biofilm formation of cariogenic bacteria such as Streptoco...

Instructions: Mouthwash for gingivitis (0.2% TTO). A 2025 comparative clinical study (n=60) used a 0.2% TTO mouthwash and reported antiplaque and anti-inflammatory effects comparable to 0.2% chl...

Warnings: Do not swallow tea tree oil. Oral ingestion can be toxic—causing confusion, ataxia, coma, and other...

Studies: In vitro/bench science: Multiple studies document antimicrob...

Why it works: Local anaesthetic & analgesic action. Eugenol can block intradental nerve activity and numb sore tissue; it’s why zinc-oxide-eugenol (ZOE) dental materials feel “sedative” on teeth...

Instructions: If you choose to use clove oil while arranging dental care, typical instructions from dental/health sites are:. • Dilute first. Mix 1 drop clove (bud) essential oil into 1 teaspoon...

Warnings: Do not ingest. Even small ingestions—especially in children—can cause CNS depression, seizures, and...

Studies: Dental materials & pulpal effects. Classic and review li...