Condition
General Oral Health
Oral health means keeping your teeth, gums, and the hundreds of bacterial species in your mouth in balance, which matters for more than cavities. The evidence is strongest for Triphala mouthwash, which trials found reduced plaque and gum inflammation about as well as chlorhexidine, a medicated rinse, while aloe vera showed a small improvement in dental health measures. That aloe vera finding came from one small study of 141 people, so it is early.
Sources: PMID 36504087
- Supplements studied
- 4
- Graded outcomes
- 4
- Trials
- 1
- People studied
- 2,000
Evidence by supplement
- Strong
- Moderate
- Limited
- Very limited
| Grade | Outcome | Effect | Size | Studies | People | Studies list |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gingivitis and Plaque Reduction Meta-analysis (7 RCTs): Triphala mouthwash as effective as 0.2% chlorhexidine for plaque-induced gingivitis. RCT (n=90, 60 days): Significant reductions in plaque index, gingival index, and oral hygiene index scores. Triphala superior to aloe vera and equal to chlorhexidine with fewer side effects. Cost-effective alternative with no staining or taste alteration. | Improves (the measure goes down) | Large effect |
| Grade | Outcome | Effect | Size | Studies | People | Studies list |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dental Health Metrics Small improvement in dental health metrics | Improves (the measure goes up) | Small effect | 1 study | 141 people | ||
Studies that measured dental health metrics | ||||||
| Pain No effect | NoneNo effect | 165 people | ||||
Curcumin
- Oral cancer risk
- Oral Lichen Planus Symptoms: improves
| Grade | Outcome | Effect | Size | Studies | People | Studies list |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oral cancer risk No effect | NoneNo effect | 675 people | ||||
| Oral Lichen Planus Symptoms | Improves (the measure goes down) | 1 study | 201 people | |||
Studies that measured oral lichen planus symptoms | ||||||
Elderberry
- Dental Health Metrics: improves
| Grade | Outcome | Effect | Size | Studies | People | Studies list |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dental Health Metrics | Improves (the measure goes up) | 1 study | 64 people | |||
Studies that measured dental health metrics | ||||||
Key findings
- Gingivitis and Plaque ReductionImproves (the measure goes down)
- Dental Health MetricsImproves (the measure goes up)
- Oral cancer risk
The General Oral Health Support protocol
2 primary supplements · 7 supporting supplements
- Oral ProbioticsOral-specific strains (L. reuteri, S. salivarius) 1–2 billion CFU daily; lozenges or chewables preferred
- Vitamin D2,000–4,000 IU daily (target 40–60 ng/mL)
Studies cited
100 studies from PubMed
- Effect of curcumin on inflammatory markers and disease activity in patients with rheumatoid arthritis: A meta-analysis.
- The Effect of Antioxidant Polyphenol Supplementation on Cardiometabolic Risk Factors: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.
- The Effectiveness of Curcumin, Resveratrol, and Silymarin on MASLD: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.
- Effects of Triphala on Lipid and Glucose Profiles and Anthropometric Parameters: A Systematic Review
- Effect of triphala mouthrinse on plaque and gingival inflammation: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials
- Modulatory Effects of Triphala and Manjistha Dietary Supplementation on Human Gut Microbiota: A Double-Blind, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Pilot Study
- Curcumin alleviates postprandial glycaemic response in healthy subjects: A cross-over, randomized controlled study
- Substantial Variability Across Individuals in the Vascular and Nutrigenomic Response to an Acute Intake of Curcumin: A Randomized Controlled Trial
- A novel polyphenolic prebiotic and probiotic formulation have synergistic effects on the gut microbiota influencing Drosophila melanogaster physiology
- Curcumin supplementation improves vascular endothelial function in healthy middle-aged and older adults by increasing nitric oxide bioavailability and reducing oxidative stress
- Therapeutic Uses of Triphala in Ayurvedic Medicine
- Comparative Evaluation of Triphala and Ela Decoction With 0.2% Chlorhexidine as Mouthwash in the Treatment of Plaque-Induced Gingivitis and Halitosis: A Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial
- Novel Form of Curcumin Improves Endothelial Function in Young, Healthy Individuals: A Double-Blind Placebo Controlled Study
- Triphala, a New Herbal Mouthwash for the Treatment of Gingivitis: A Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial
- A randomized clinical trial to evaluate and compare the efficacy of triphala mouthwash with 0.2% chlorhexidine in hospitalized patients with periodontal diseases
- Efficacy of 'Itrifal Saghir', a combination of three medicinal plants in the treatment of obesity; A randomized controlled trial
- Triphala and its constituents ameliorate visceral adiposity from a high-fat diet in mice with diet-induced obesity
- Effect of different curcuminoid supplement dosages on total in vivo antioxidant capacity and cholesterol levels of healthy human subjects
- Effects of Curcuma longa (turmeric) on postprandial plasma glucose and insulin in healthy subjects
- Combined inhibitory effects of soy isoflavones and curcumin on the production of prostate-specific antigen
- Effect of NCB-02, atorvastatin and placebo on endothelial function, oxidative stress and inflammatory markers in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus: a randomized, parallel-group, placebo-controlled, 8-week study
- Chili, but not turmeric, inhibits iron absorption in young women from an iron-fortified composite meal
- Evaluation of the therapeutic effects of Aloe vera gel on minor recurrent aphthous stomatitis
- Acemannan, a Polysaccharide Extracted from Aloe vera, Is Effective in the Treatment of Oral Aphthous Ulceration
- Effects of Aloe Vera in the Treatment of Oral Ulcers: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomised Controlled Trials.
- Efficacy of Aloe Vera Supplementation on Prediabetes and Early Non-Treated Diabetic Patients: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials
- Effect of Aloe vera on glycaemic control in prediabetes and type 2 diabetes: a systematic review and meta-analysis
- Effects of Aloe vera in adults with mucocutaneous problems: A systematic review and meta-analysis.
- Natural and miscellaneous agents for the prevention of acute radiation dermatitis: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
- Is Effective and Safe in Short-term Treatment of Irritable Bowel Syndrome: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.
- Efficacy of Curcuma longa in relieving pain symptoms of knee osteoarthritis patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis of clinical trials.
- Curcuma longa extract reduces inflammatory and oxidative stress biomarkers in osteoarthritis of knee: a four-month, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial
- Efficacy and safety of curcumin and its combination with boswellic acid in osteoarthritis: a comparative, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study
- Short-term effects of highly-bioavailable curcumin for treating knee osteoarthritis: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled prospective study
- Safety and efficacy of curcumin versus diclofenac in knee osteoarthritis: a randomized open-label parallel-arm study
- Curcuminoid treatment for knee osteoarthritis: a randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial
- Safety and efficacy of Curcuma longa extract in the treatment of painful knee osteoarthritis: a randomized placebo-controlled trial
- Efficacy and safety of Meriva®, a curcumin-phosphatidylcholine complex, during extended administration in osteoarthritis patients
- Efficacy and safety of Curcuma domestica extracts compared with ibuprofen in patients with knee osteoarthritis: a multicenter study
- Product-evaluation registry of Meriva®, a curcumin-phosphatidylcholine complex, for the complementary management of osteoarthritis
- The efficacy of Curcuma Longa L. extract as an adjuvant therapy in primary knee osteoarthritis: a randomized control trial
- A Randomized, Double Blind, Placebo Controlled, Parallel-Group Study to Evaluate the Safety and Efficacy of Curene® versus Placebo in Reducing Symptoms of Knee OA
- Efficacy and safety of Curcuma domestica extracts in patients with knee osteoarthritis
- Efficacy and safety of curcumin therapy for knee osteoarthritis: A Bayesian network meta-analysis.
- Effect of turmeric products on knee osteoarthritis: a systematic review and network meta-analysis.
- Effects of curcumin on serum inflammatory biomarkers in patients with knee osteoarthritis: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.
- Curcumin Lowers Serum Lipids and Uric Acid in Subjects With Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease: A Randomized Controlled Trial
- The effects of curcumin supplementation on liver enzymes, lipid profile, glucose homeostasis, and hepatic steatosis and fibrosis in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease
- Treatment of Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease with Curcumin: A Randomized Placebo-controlled Trial
- Nano-curcumin improves glucose indices, lipids, inflammation, and Nesfatin in overweight and obese patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD): a double-blind randomized placebo-controlled clinical trial
- Curcumin as adjuvant treatment in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver (NAFLD) disease: A systematic review and meta-analysis
- Turmeric Supplementation Improves Serum Glucose Indices and Leptin Levels in Patients with Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Diseases
- Does Turmeric/curcumin Supplementation Change Anthropometric Indices in Patients with Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease? A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.
- Highly bioavailable micellar curcuminoids accumulate in blood, are safe and do not reduce blood lipids and inflammation markers in moderately hyperlipidemic individuals
- Efficacy of Turmeric as Adjuvant Therapy in Type 2 Diabetic Patients
- Effects of curcumin/turmeric supplementation on lipid profile: A GRADE-assessed systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.
- Bread enriched with phytosterols with or without curcumin modulates lipoprotein profiles in hypercholesterolaemic individuals. A randomised controlled trial
- The Effect of Curcumin on some of Traditional and Non-traditional Cardiovascular Risk Factors: A Pilot Randomized, Double-blind, Placebo-controlled Trial
- Effect of Curcumin on Serum Urate in Asymptomatic Hyperuricemia: A Randomized Placebo-Controlled Trial
- Effect of turmeric on glycemic status, lipid profile, hs-CRP, and total antioxidant capacity in hyperlipidemic type 2 diabetes mellitus patients
- Effects of phytosomal curcumin on anthropometric parameters, insulin resistance, cortisolemia and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease indices: a double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial
- Highly absorptive curcumin reduces serum atherosclerotic low-density lipoprotein levels in patients with mild COPD
- Curcumin potentiates cholesterol-lowering effects of phytosterols in hypercholesterolaemic individuals. A randomised controlled trial
- Curcuminoids modify lipid profile in type 2 diabetes mellitus: A randomized controlled trial
- Diverse effects of a low dose supplement of lipidated curcumin in healthy middle aged people
- Effects of supplementation with curcuminoids on dyslipidemia in obese patients: a randomized crossover trial
- Curcumin effects on blood lipid profile in a 6-month human study
- The effect of nano-curcumin on HbA1c, fasting blood glucose, and lipid profile in diabetic subjects: a randomized clinical trial
- Effects of Curcuminoids Plus Piperine on Glycemic, Hepatic and Inflammatory Biomarkers in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: A Randomized Double-Blind Placebo-Controlled Trial
- Curcumin attenuates urinary excretion of albumin in type II diabetic patients with enhancing nuclear factor erythroid-derived 2-like 2 (Nrf2) system and repressing inflammatory signaling efficacies
- The effects of curcumin supplementation on high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, serum adiponectin, and lipid profile in patients with type 2 diabetes: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial
- Reduction of atherogenic risk in patients with type 2 diabetes by curcuminoid extract: a randomized controlled trial
- Curcuminoids exert glucose-lowering effect in type 2 diabetes by decreasing serum free fatty acids: a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial
- Nano curcumin supplementation reduced the severity of diabetic sensorimotor polyneuropathy in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus: A randomized double-blind placebo- controlled clinical trial
- Curcumin extract for prevention of type 2 diabetes
- The effect of turmeric/curcumin supplementation on anthropometric indices in subjects with prediabetes and type 2 diabetes mellitus: A GRADE-assessed systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.
- The effects of curcumin-containing supplements on biomarkers of inflammation and oxidative stress: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.
- Curcumin on Human Health: A Comprehensive Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of 103 Randomized Controlled Trials.
- Effects of Curcumin on Postmenopausal Women's Health: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.
- The effect of curcumin supplementation on weight loss and anthropometric indices: an umbrella review and updated meta-analyses of randomized controlled trials.
- Curcumin ingestion and exercise training improve vascular endothelial function in postmenopausal women
- Effect of endurance exercise training and curcumin intake on central arterial hemodynamics in postmenopausal women: pilot study
- Curcumin for depression: a meta-analysis
- Efficacy of curcumin, and a saffron/curcumin combination for the treatment of major depression: A randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled study
- Curcumin for the treatment of major depression: a randomised, double-blind, placebo controlled study
- Chronic Supplementation of Curcumin Enhances the Efficacy of Antidepressants in Major Depressive Disorder: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Pilot Study
- Curcumin as an add-on to antidepressive treatment: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, pilot clinical study
- Add-on Treatment with Curcumin Has Antidepressive Effects in Thai Patients with Major Depression: Results of a Randomized Double-Blind Placebo-Controlled Study
- Influence of red pepper spice and turmeric on inflammation and oxidative stress biomarkers in overweight females: a metabolomics approach
- The effectiveness of fermented turmeric powder in subjects with elevated alanine transaminase levels: a randomised controlled study
- Effects of curcumin/turmeric supplementation on liver function in adults: A GRADE-assessed systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.
- Curcumin attenuates severity of premenstrual syndrome symptoms: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial
- The Effects of Curcumin on Weight Loss Among Patients With Metabolic Syndrome and Related Disorders: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.
- Clinical efficacy of the co-administration of Turmeric and Black seeds (Kalongi) in metabolic syndrome - a double blind randomized controlled trial - TAK-MetS trial
- Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects of curcuminoid-piperine combination in subjects with metabolic syndrome: A randomized controlled trial and an updated meta-analysis
- Effects of Nanocurcumin Supplementation on Metabolic Syndrome: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.
- Lipid-modifying effects of adjunctive therapy with curcuminoids-piperine combination in patients with metabolic syndrome: results of a randomized controlled trial
- A Novel Highly Bioavailable Curcumin Formulation Improves Symptoms and Diagnostic Indicators in Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Two-Dose, Three-Arm, and Parallel-Group Study
- A randomized, pilot study to assess the efficacy and safety of curcumin in patients with active rheumatoid arthritis
- Influence of enhanced bioavailable curcumin on obesity-associated cardiovascular disease risk factors and arterial function: A double-blinded, randomized, controlled trial