Evidence supporting the use of: Honey
For the body system: Gums

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Synopsis

Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 3

Honey has been used traditionally for oral health, and modern research provides some scientific validation for its use in supporting gum (periodontal) health. Honey exhibits natural antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and wound-healing properties, primarily due to its high sugar content, low pH, and the presence of bioactive compounds like hydrogen peroxide, methylglyoxal, and flavonoids. Several in vitro and clinical studies have demonstrated that honey can inhibit the growth of oral pathogens such as Porphyromonas gingivalis and Streptococcus mutans, which are associated with gum disease and dental caries.

Some small clinical trials have shown that topical application of honey can reduce dental plaque, gingival bleeding, and signs of gingivitis when compared to control groups. For example, a study published in the Journal of Oral Science (2001) found that chewing "honey leather" reduced plaque and bleeding indices among children. Another study in Contemporary Clinical Dentistry (2012) reported that honey dressings promoted healing of oral mucosal wounds post-surgery.

However, the evidence is still preliminary, mostly derived from small-scale studies, and honey’s sugar content raises concerns about increased risk of dental caries with frequent use. Overall, while there is some scientific support for honey’s benefits for gum health, more large-scale, high-quality clinical research is needed to fully validate its efficacy and safety for this application.

More about Honey
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Products containing Honey

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