The efficacy of propolis as a caries-inhibiting

Abstract

Introduction: In natural alternative medicine and complementary dentistry, there are innumerable substances that are oriented to the solution of oral and dental affections, such as propolis, which is composed of several bioactive elements that potentiate its effective antimicrobial properties.
Objective: To describe the anticariogenic action of propolis as a natural pharmaceutical alternative on the dental structure, for clinical therapeutic and preventive use in the dental office.
Methods: A bibliographic review was carried out, according to the PRISMA 2020 methodology, of scientific articles indexed in the databases: PubMed, Lilacs, Science Direct.  The study had an epidemiological design, corresponding to the exploratory research level, being aided by hermeneutics to interpret the literature review, being observational, cross-sectional, and retrospective.
Results: The studies reviewed showed that the ingredients present in propolis have the capacity to inhibit the reproduction and proliferation of bacteria present in the dental organs, attacking mainly the pathogenic agent of caries, such as S. mutans.
Conclusions: It was demonstrated that propolis is a natural pharmacological option to be used clinically by the dentist or the patient, which manifested to be biocompatible, safe, accessible, and did not cause resistance or side effects in the human organism.