Honey as an Adjunct in Dental Plaque, Gingivitis, and Streptococcus mutans Control: A Narrative Review of Clinical Evidence

Jesslyn Samantha¹, Titiek Berniyanti^2*, Retno Palupi², Kartika Putri Sari²

Abstract

Background: Honey possesses well-established in vitro antibacterial and antibiofilm properties against cariogenic and periodontopathic bacteria. However, most narrative reviews have concentrated on mechanistic and laboratory findings. To date, no narrative review has specifically consolidated clinical trial evidence regarding the effects of honey on dental plaque, gingival inflammation, and Streptococcus mutans counts. Objective: This review summarizes clinical trial evidence on the effectiveness of honey, administered as a mouthrinse, chewable, or topical adjunct, in reducing dental plaque accumulation, gingivitis, and S. mutans counts. Methods: A single reviewer conducted a structured literature search across PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, and Google Scholar (2004-2025) using combinations of the terms honey, manuka honey, dental plaque, gingivitis, and Streptococcus mutans. The search was limited to human randomized or controlled clinical trials published in English. Results were synthesized in a narrative, theme-based manner. Results: The identified trials indicate that honey, particularly manuka and forest or multifloral variants, consistently reduced plaque scores, gingival indices, and S. mutans counts compared to no treatment or water controls, and often performed similarly to 0.2% chlorhexidine. However, results were inconsistent; one pilot trial reported no antiplaque benefit of honey rinsing over saline without mechanical oral hygiene. Variability in honey type, concentration, delivery method, and follow-up duration limited direct comparisons across studies. Conclusion: Although the clinical evidence remains limited and heterogeneous, it generally supports honey as an encouraging, low-cost, low side-effect adjunct to mechanical oral hygiene for controlling plaque, gingivitis, and S. mutans, with efficacy comparable to chlorhexidine in several trials. Standardized, adequately powered randomized controlled trials, ideally adding to a future systematic review and meta-analysis, are necessary to confirm these outcomes and inform practical guidelines.

Keywords

honey; dental plaque; gingivitis; Streptococcus mutans; narrative review; chlorhexidine

Cite This Article

Samantha, J., Berniyanti, T., Palupi, R., Sari, K. P. (2026). Honey as an Adjunct in Dental Plaque, Gingivitis, and Streptococcus mutans Control: A Narrative Review of Clinical Evidence. International Journal of Scientific Advances (IJSCIA), Volume 7| Issue 5: Sep – Oct 2026, Pages 843-847. URL: https://www.ijscia.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/Volume7-Issue5-Sep-Oct-No.1105-843-847.pdf

Volume 7 | Issue 5: Sep – Oct 2026