Positive Health Online

Abstract

TAKARADA and colleagues, Department of Microbiology, Tokyo Dental College, 1-2-2 Masago, Mihama-ku, Chiba 261-8502, Japan, have compared the antibacterial activities of essential oils against oral pathogens.

Background

Bacteria that cause cavities and gum disease are present in dental plaque as biofilms. In this study, the effect of essential oils was examined in inhibiting the growth of such bacteria.

Methodology

Essential oils of manuka, tea tree, eucalyptus, lavender, and rosemary were tested against a host of bacterial strains, and their minimal inhibitory and minimum bacericidal concentrations were determined.

Results

All the oils tested inhibited the growth of oral bacteria, manuka oil being the most effective. The data showed that lavender oil acts by inhibiting bacterial growth while the other oils actually kill the bacteria. Tea tree oil and manuka oil also inhibited the adhesion of some oral bacteria to tooth enamel.

Conclusion

Exposure for 30 seconds to 0.2% manuka, tea tree or eucalyptus oil appears to kill off most known oral bacteria. At this concentrations, the oils appear to be safe.

References

Takarada K, Kimizuka R, Takayashi N, Honma K, Okuda K, Kato T. A comparison of the antibacterial efficacies of essential oils against oral pathogens. Oral Microbiology and Immunology 19 (1): 61-64, Feb 2004.