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Nigella Sativa Effective Against Dental Decay

WRITTEN BY DR. NITA SHARMA DAS, PHD, ND, PHDHM, B PHARM. August 22, 2018

THIS ARTICLE IS COPYRIGHTED FOR NIGELLASATIVACENTER.COM ONLY.  ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

Thousands of years ago, Greek and Egyptian health practitioners used to treat tooth-ache by Nigella sativa seeds.

This was later phased-out through the advancement of different synthetic products. But in the present era, this miracle herb has gained significant importance among the general public, medical professionals and scientific researchers for treating several diseases.

It has been well established all over the world that this natural remedy has potential efficacy to treat ailments with negligible side effects.

Nutritional contents and bioactive phytochemicals present in Nigella sativa can exhibit multiple therapeutic benefits. [1]

Tooth infection, tooth cavity, and decaying of the tooth are few common examples of poor oral health.

Most of the oral diseases can be prevented by proper care and treated by the herbal remedy.

Nigella sativa which is commonly known as black seed and its phytochemical, thymoquinone can improve oral health by preventing dental caries, tooth decay,

periodontitis,  gingivitis, pulpal diseases, oral ulcerations, and oral mucositis. It provides a quick remedy for wound and bone healing. The research publications show strong evidence that black seed can also prevent oral cancer. [1]

Evidential findings  of  Nigella sativa against different dental problems 

Dental Caries
Dental Caries is a common progressive condition that occurs in a particular tooth or sometimes even affects more than one tooth due to rapid microbial growth and leads to decaying of the tooth/teeth. Streptococcus mutans and Streptococcus sobrinus are two identified pathogenic bacteria which are responsible for dental Caries. According to the World Health Organization (WHO) report, almost all adults come across dental Caries at least once in their lifespan.

Carbohydrates which are present in food items retain for a longer period in the mouth. These carbohydrates support bacterial fermentation and release acid which destroys tooth enamel and hard tissues present in tooth structure. Therefore, clinicians always advise washing mouth properly after every meal. Experts believe that thymoquinone, the active constituent of Nigella sativa, possess antibacterial effect which prevents dental Caries.

An animal study has shown that thymoquinone inhibits microbial biofilm of S. mutans and decrease dental caries. Essential oils like p-cymene, limonene, and apinene which are present in Nigella sativa is also effective against dentfal Caries. Application of black seed oil provides bactericidal effect against S. mutans and remove S. mutans from the teeth surface. Naturopath researchers have further reported that Nigella sativa oil is also effective against S. mitis, which is another causative agent of dental Caries. [1]

Periodontitis and gingivitis

Periodontitis and gingivitis are both inter-connected conditions. The microbial attack, especially gram-negative bacteria causes dental inflammation and leads to periodontitis. However, in progressive condition, periodontitis gradually destroys the connective tissues surrounding the teeth and causes gingivitis.

These oral infections not only restricted in teeth only, but also can further cause different systemic conditions, like diabetes mellitus, pulmonary diseases, cardiovascular diseases, and low birth weight, etc. Therefore, appropriate oral hygiene and microbial control are essential for overall oral health.

Nigella sativa and its phytochemicals have antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties. Experts believe that these therapeutic properties can prevent and treat periodontitis and gingivitis conditions.An animal study reported a significant reduction of periodontitis incidence and low bacterial count in subgingival condition while treating with Nigella sativa.

Naturopathy experts recommend the use of thymoquinone chips, as adjuvant therapy while performing scaling and root planing, and also in maintenance visits to patients suffering from chronic periodontitis. [1]

Pulpal diseases

Pulp vitality is essential for tooth health, which often gets affected by different microbial attacks, like Streptococcus oralis, Streptococcus anginosus, Staphylococcus epidermides, Enterobacter cloacae, and Enterococcus durans. Black seeds also act as a good pulpotomy agent and prevent pulpal diseases.In clinical practice, antimicrobial irrigating solutions and other locally used disinfecting agents are used in root canal therapy for intracanal antisepsis purpose.

Sodium hypochlorite is one of the most frequently used synthetic chemical in irrigating solutions due to its potent antimicrobial effect. But this chemical ingredient has a toxic effect on vital tissues. Nigella sativa can be an alternative natural ingredient. A clinical study reported that Nigella sativa in combination with aluminum potassium sulfate and Salvadora persica is effective to provide significant bactericidal effects against all the above-mentioned bacteria.

The study was conducted on 20 patients undergoing root canal procedure. There is a further animal research evidence which indicates that Nigella sativa oil can be a new capping medicament and can successfully replace formocresol in pediatric dentistry. An increased concentration of formocresol can cause pulp destruction. [1]

Dental bone healing

Nigella sativa oil and powder can induce bone healing in the tooth socket after extraction of the tooth and manifest faster bone trabeculae formation. [1] Moreover, research finding supports that Nigella sativa promotes osteogenic differentiation of dental pulp mesenchymal stem cells. This mechanism of action of Nigella sativa assists to regenerate bone during healing.

It has been expected that improvement of the viability of mesenchymal stem cells, and sustainable osteogenic differentiation can also prevent bone resorption and improve regeneration. Therefore, individuals with the limited capacity for periodontal regeneration along with osteoporosis and diabetes mellitus or other related disorders can be benefitted by using Nigella sativa supplementation. [2]

Teeth Whitening effect

Some individuals claim that Nigella sativa oil acts as a natural teeth whitening agent and is a better option than charcoal. It also provides healthy gum. 3 to 4 times a week application of Nigella sativa oil is recommended by regular users to obtain an effective and satisfactory result. However, there is no evidential research report to support this fact.  [3]

Direction to use

A toothache is a common symptom for all dental issues. Nigella sativa oil not only cures the underlying causes, as mentioned above but also provide symptomatic relief. Following are some recommended application methods to obtain effective results:

·Combination of one teaspoon Nigella sativa oil and a half cup of vinegar oil can treat a toothache. Mix these two ingredients and heat on a low flame until almost boil.  Remove from the fire and wait until the mixture cools down. Use this preparation as a mouthwash and also rinse the mouth every two hours till toothache is subsided. This preparation is also effective to reduce infection and inflammation. [4]

·Apply Nigella sativa oil directly to the affected tooth and then wash the mouth with lukewarm water after some period of time. [4]·Rub the affected tooth with Nigella sativa oil and repeat the process every 15-30 seconds till the toothache is subsided.[5]

·Soak a small piece of cotton ball in Nigella sativa oil and place it on the affected tooth to reduce toothache intensity. Change the cotton piece after every 15 to 20 minutes. To obtain long-term benefit, continue this for one week even after the pain subsides.[5]

·Mix half teaspoon of Nigella sativa oil with warm water and use this as a gargle. [5]·Take one cup of yogurt with a half teaspoon of Nigella sativa oil twice a day to avoid different dental problems, including teeth weakening, bleeding from teeth, premature fall of teeth, bad smell, etc.[5]

·Swish the Nigella sativa oil in the mouth for 10 to 15 minutes and then spit out. Brush teeth and wash with lukewarm water. Repeat this process 3 to 4 times a week for obtaining pearly white teeth and removal of stain. [3]

Apart from these, basic oral hygiene is very important to avoid tooth problems, which include regular brushing of teeth twice a day, avoiding sticky food, wash your mouth after every meal, and rinsing with antibacterial mouthwash once a day. In case an individual has tooth cavity, it is suggested to remove all the food particles stuck into the cavity to reduce the scope of microbial growth and further infection.

References

1. Safia A. AlAttas, Fat’heya M. Zahran, Shereen A. Turkistany. Nigella sativa and its active constituent thymoquinone in oral health. Saudi Med J. 2016 Mar; 37(3): 235–244. doi: 10.15537/smj.2016.3.13006. Online available at  https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4800885/

2. Ayşegül Mendi. Nigella sativa OIL COULD INDUCE OSTEOGENIC DIFFERENTIATION OF DENTAL PULP MESENCHYMAL STEM CELLS: CLINICAL NUTRITION FOR DENTISTRY. Food and Health, 4(1), 19-24 (2018). Online available at  http://jfhs.scientificwebjournals.com/download/article-file/359660

3. ELIZABETH W. TRY THIS BLACK OIL FOR NATURAL TEETH WHITENING (IT REALLY WORKS!). Online available at  https://livingthenourishedlife.com/natural-teeth-whitening/

4.  Naturally relieve and heal toothaches and tooth infections. Online available at  https://www.curezone.org/forums/fm.asp?i=2036519

5. Wonder Benefits and Uses of Kalonji Oil (Nigella Sativa Oil. Online available at  http://www.gyanunlimited.com/health/kalonji-oil-benefits-and-uses-of-nigella-seeds/7888/