ORAL MICROBIOME IN INFLAMMATORY PERIODONTAL DISEASES AND DEVELOPMENT OF PLANT-BASED CORRECTIVE ORAL CARE PRODUCTS

Abstract

The study investigated the characteristics of the oral microbiota under various pathological conditions and evaluated the antimicrobial and antibiofilm activity of plant-derived essential oils. Complex aerobic–anaerobic microbial associations dominated by periodontal pathogens and opportunistic microorganisms were identified. Species-specific differences in the activity of essential oils against the studied microorganisms were established. The highest antimicrobial and antibiofilm activity was demonstrated by essential oils of Thymus vulgaris and Origanum vulgare. Achillea millefolium essential oil exhibited broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity against Gram-positive and Gram-negative microorganisms, as well as fungi of the genus Candida. The highest activity against anaerobic periodontal pathogens was observed for essential oils of Pinus sylvestris, Eucalyptus globulus, and Anethum graveolens. The findings support the potential use of essential oils as natural components of oral care products aimed at modulating the oral microbiota.