ACHIEVING ORAL HEALTH THE NATURAL WAY: POMEGRANATE
VINEET NAIR *
Department of Periodontology, North Bengal Dental College and Hospital, Darjeeling, India
KRISHNA PADA DAS
Department of Dentistry, National Medical College and Hospital, Kolkata, West Bengal, India
SOHINI BANERJEE
Department of Periodontology, North Bengal Dental College and Hospital, Darjeeling, India
SANJUKTA BAGCHI
Department of Public Health Dentistry, North Bengal Dental College and Hospital, Darjeeling, India
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Recently there has been a profound interest in the use of plants for the treatment of various diseases. People are aware of the ill-effects associated with over prescription of antibiotics and also understand the menace of drug resistance. Therefore it is quite likely that plant products shall make way into the arena of dentistry as well. Punica granatum Linn, commonly known as pomegranate is a member of the Punicaceae family. In ayurvedic medicine, the pomegranate is considered "a pharmacy unto itself". This review article has been framed after going through several search engines and PUBMED indexed journals over the last ten years to explore the role of pomegranate in oral health.
Keywords: Ayurveda, dental plaque, Punica granatum Linn