Context: Anticariogenic properties have been ascribed to polyphenolic compounds present in high concentrations in numerous fruits. Berries, in particular, have been reported as potentially having an inhibitory effect on the dental biofilm and subsequently on caries, but the evidence is unclear. 

Objective: The objective of this review was to explore the literature and summarize the evidence for berries having an inhibitory effect on the dental biofilm and an anticariogenic effect. 

Data Sources: Following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analysis (PRISMA) guidelines, the PubMed, Web of Science, and SCOPUS databases were scanned using predefined and accessible terms, with a search strategy based on a structured PICO question. 

Data Extraction: After article selection, 23 studies met the inclusion criteria, most of them being in vitro studies. A risk assessment was performed, and data were extracted and presented in a table for qualitative analysis. 

Data Analysis: Meta-analyses were conducted using standardized mean differences (SMDs) with a 95% confidence interval (CI) by Review manager 5.4. 

Results: Only 3 types of berries were found to have a reported anticaries effect: grape seed extract (GSE), cranberry, and sour cherry. Nine studies that fulfilled the eligibility criteria were subjected to quantitative analysis. Meta-analyses showed GSE was associated with enhanced remineralization of dental enamel (SMD = .96 95% CI [.45, 1.46], P < .0002) and of dentin (SMD = .65 95% CI [.13, 1.17], P = .01). Cranberry extracts positively influenced the cariogenic dental biofilm by decreasing the biofilm biomass (SMD = -2.23 95% CI [-4.40, -.05], P = .04), and biovolume (SMD = -2.86 95% CI [-4.34, -1.37], P = .0002), and increasing the biofilm pH (SMD = 7.9 95% CI [3.49, 12.31], P < .0004). 

Conclusion: Within the limitations of this systematic review and metaanalysis, GSE and cranberries or their active compounds could represent an alternative for caries management. Further clinical trials are needed to verify this effect in a clinical setting. Systematic Review Registration PROSPERO registration no. CRD42020223579.

Objective: The aim of this work was to explore the potential of polyphenol supplement consumption in enhancing the treatment of periodontitis and diabetes mellitus in both diabetic animals and humans. 

Materials and methods: A comprehensive search across eight databases (MEDLINE, EBSCO, Taylor & Francis, PRIMO, Web of Science, Wiley Online Library, ScienceDirect, and SAGE Journals) and two registers (ClinicalTrials.gov and Cochrane Library Trials) was conducted. Methodological quality assessment employed the Cochrane Collaboration Risk of Bias Assessment Tool for randomised controlled trials and the Systematic Review Centre for Laboratory Animal Experimentation Risk of Bias Tool for experimental animal studies. 

Results: Ten articles meeting inclusion criteria were identified. Three clinical studies demonstrated significant reductions in probing depth (PD) and clinical attachment loss (CAL). Ginger supplementation showed a decrease in CAL (-0.57 +/- 0.50 vs. -0.14 +/- 0.35, p = 0.003) and PD (-0.52 +/- 0.51 vs. -0.19 +/- 0.51, p = 0.04), while resveratrol supplementation exhibited a reduction in PD (-1.1 +/- 0.58 vs. -0.6 +/- 0.47, p < 0.001). Additionally, cranberry juice supplementation led to a decrease in PD (-0.56 +/- 0.03, p < 0.001). However, there was no significant improvement in inflammation status. Although polyphenol supplementation did not impact fasting blood glucose levels, it did result in improved insulin resistance (3.66 +/- 0.97 vs. 4.49 +/- 1.56, p = 0.045). In diabetic animals, six studies reported a significant reduction (p < 0.05) in bone loss along with marked improvements in inflammation status. 

Conclusions: Despite the promising results observed in the included studies, the overall evidence supporting the positive effects of polyphenols on periodontal and diabetes mellitus status, along with their anti-inflammatory properties, remains inadequate.

Context: Anticariogenic properties have been ascribed to polyphenolic compounds present in high concentrations in numerous fruits. Berries, in particular, have been reported as potentially having an inhibitory effect on the dental biofilm and subsequently on caries, but the evidence is unclear.

Objective: The objective of this review was to explore the literature and summarize the evidence for berries having an inhibitory effect on the dental biofilm and an anticariogenic effect.

Data sources: Following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analysis (PRISMA) guidelines, the PubMed, Web of Science, and SCOPUS databases were scanned using predefined and accessible terms, with a search strategy based on a structured PICO question.

Data extraction: After article selection, 23 studies met the inclusion criteria, most of them being in vitro studies. A risk assessment was performed, and data were extracted and presented in a table for qualitative analysis.

Data analysis: Meta-analyses were conducted using standardized mean differences (SMDs) with a 95% confidence interval (CI) by Review manager 5.4.

Results: Only 3 types of berries were found to have a reported anticaries effect: grape seed extract (GSE), cranberry, and sour cherry. Nine studies that fulfilled the eligibility criteria were subjected to quantitative analysis. Meta-analyses showed GSE was associated with enhanced remineralization of dental enamel (SMD = .96 95% CI [.45, 1.46], P < .0002) and of dentin (SMD = .65 95% CI [.13, 1.17], P = .01). Cranberry extracts positively influenced the cariogenic dental biofilm by decreasing the biofilm biomass (SMD = -2.23 95% CI [-4.40, -.05], P = .04), and biovolume (SMD = -2.86 95% CI [-4.34, -1.37], P = .0002), and increasing the biofilm pH (SMD = 7.9 95% CI [3.49, 12.31], P < .0004).

Conclusion: Within the limitations of this systematic review and metaanalysis, GSE and cranberries or their active compounds could represent an alternative for caries management. Further clinical trials are needed to verify this effect in a clinical setting.

The oral cavity harbors hundreds of microorganisms that may be uncontrolled and provoke several diseases. In this sense, periodontitis is a complex multifactorial disease with an essential microbial component in its etiology. Periodontal treatment involves mechanical control of the supra- and subgingival biofilm, but not all patients respond predictably to treatment. In this way, the biofilm chemical control helps in the reduction of periodontal pathogens during treatment or in the delay of bacterial re-colonization after scaling and root planning. Several products have been studied as adjunctive therapy and have shown promising results. Therefore, the present article reviews the biological effects of propolis, aloe vera, green tea, cranberry, calendula, myrrha and salvia that may support their use in the control of subgingival biofilm in patients with periodontitis. All the natural products cited above showed exciting results against microorganisms related to oral diseases, mainly periodontitis. These substances also have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities. The natural agents propolis, aloe vera, green tea, cranberry, calendula, myrrha and salvia demonstrated potential to be used as oral hygiene products, based on their antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory actions.