Cranberry polyphenols: Beneficial effects for prevention of periodontal disease and dental caries

Abstract

Oral diseases are the major health problems with dental caries and periodontal disease among the most important preventable global infectious disease. More than 700 bacterial species or phenotypes, of which 50% have not been cultivated, have been detected in the oral cavity. Dental biofilm is associated with the initiation and progression of tooth decay and periodontal diseases. The conventional medical response to bacterial infections, administration of broad-spectrum antibiotics, has become less effective against emerging pathogens due to the evolution of drug resistance stemming in part from the antibiotic abuse. Therefore, there is a need to develop novel, narrow spectrum, therapeutics capable of maintaining the protective benefits of the normal microflora during treatment. Hence, the search for alternative products continues and natural phytochemicals isolated from plants used as traditional medicines are considered as good alternatives. In this review, cranberry (Vaccinium macrocarpon) is the native North American fruit that has recently come into limelight owing to its numerous beneficial effects on dental caries, and periodontal health has been reviewed.