Herbal Remedies For Strep Mutans

Streptococcus mutans, or Strep mutans for short, is an anaerobic bacterium that is found primarily in the oral cavity. Found between teeth and in crevices on the biting surface of teeth, Strep mutans secretes lactic acid that breaks down tooth enamel and leads eventually to dental caries, or cavities. Several herbs are effective against this oral pathogen. However, consult your doctor or dentist before self-treating with any herbal remedy.

Black and Green Teas

Iranian-born pharmacologist Manuchair S. Ebadi, author of "Pharmacodynamic Basis of Herbal Medicine," says that active compounds in both black and green teas -- brewed from dried leaves and buds of the Camellia sinensis bush -- demonstrate anticariogenic properties. He cites in-vitro and animal studies in which tea components, most notably catechins, showed strong antibacterial effect on Strep mutans and the closely related Streptococcus sobrinus bacterium. Furthermore, the tea extracts helped prevent the adherence of these bacteria to teeth and also limited the production of glucan, which plays a key role in the development of cavities.

Cloves

Widely used for their medicinal properties, cloves, known scientifically as Syzygium aromaticum, appear to effectively inhibit the cariogenic properties of Strep mutans. Researchers at the University of Malaysia at Kuala Lumpur tested both crude aqueous and solvent extracts of clove against the cariogenic effects of the bacterium. While each of the clove extracts excelled in certain areas of performance, overall the researchers judged both clove extracts equally effective in preventing dental cavities caused by Strep mutans. They published their findings in a 2006 issue of the "Journal of Oral Science."

Grape Seed

Scientists credit the polyphenols in grape seed with many of the herb's medicinal properties. Powerful antioxidants, grape seed polyphenols also appear to inhibit the cariogenic activities of Strep mutans in laboratory testing, according to pharmacologist Joe Graedon and medical anthropologist Teresa Graedon, authors of "The People's Pharmacy Guide to Home and Herbal Remedies." As an added bonus in terms of promoting oral health, grape seed extract slows the conversion of table sugar, or sucrose, into glucan, the form in which sugar is most active in the formation of dental caries, or cavities.

Thyme Oil

Thymol, a phenolic compound found in thyme oil, has strong antiseptic properties that have made it a favorite with dentists for decades, according to clinical nurse specialist Martha Libster, Ph.D., author of "Delmar's Integrative Herb Guide for Nurses." She points out that thymol is the primary ingredient in Listerine mouthwash. Libster cites in-vitro studies conducted by H.G. Meeker and H.A. Linke that showed thyme oil was effective in inhibiting the growth and spread of Strep mutans and Streptococcus aureus, another bacterium that has been implicated as a causative factor in dental caries. Libster notes that other studies have shown that thymol can be either bactericidal or bacteriostatic depending on the concentration that is used.