News - January 2026

Garlic mouthwash shows shockingly strong germ-fighting power

Garlic extract has been found to offer antimicrobial effects that are on par with commonly used antiseptics and disinfectants such as chlorhexidine, according to medical researchers at the University of Sharjah. The study, published in the Journal of Herbal Medicine, reports that garlic-based mouthwash may produce more discomfort than chlorhexidine, but appears to provide longer-lasting residual activity. “Chlorhexidine is widely used as a gold standard mouthwash but is associated with side effects and concerns over antimicrobial resistance”, the authors explain. “Garlic (Allium sativum), known for natural antimicrobial properties, has emerged as a potential alternative.”

The researchers based their conclusions on a systematic review examining how garlic extract performs against chlorhexidine in clinical settings and whether it can realistically function as a herbal substitute. The selected literature consisted of randomised controlled trials and clinical studies with varying designs and low to moderate risks of bias. Overall, the authors found that higher concentrations of garlic extract mouthwash showed antimicrobial results similar to those of chlorhexidine.

“The effectiveness varied based on mouthwash concentration and duration of application, contributing to differences in outcomes”, the review noted. “Some studies favored chlorhexidine for maintaining higher plaque/salivary pH, while others reported garlic extract to be more effective at certain concentrations. However, garlic mouthwash may cause greater discomfort.” Even with these drawbacks, the review offers strong support for the clinical antimicrobial activity of garlic extract, reporting: “Significant reductions in bacterial counts from baseline … suggesting the possible use of garlic extract mouthwash as a viable alternative to chlorhexidine in certain contexts”.

From: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/12/251207031338.htm.

Root canal therapy linked to reduced inflammation and improved blood glucose control

A clinical study at King’s College London has investigated changes in serum metabolites after root canal treatment and found that it was associated with significantly reduced inflammation and with improvements in blood glucose and cholesterol levels, underscoring the systemic health benefits of effective dental care.

In the study, the researchers followed 65 patients at Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust for two years after root canal treatment. They analysed the patients’ serum samples at five time points to track changes in 44 metabolites – particularly those involved in glucose, amino acid and lipid metabolism. They also correlated these changes with clinical metabolic syndrome indicators, inflammatory biomarkers, and blood and intra-canal microbiomes to better understand the effect of periapical periodontitis and its treatment on risks for systemic conditions.

The team found that successful root canal treatment was associated with several significant health benefits. For example, blood glucose levels showed a statistically significant decrease at two years after treatment – a notable improvement in glucose metabolism that could help lower the risk of Type 2 diabetes. Additionally, short-term improvements in blood cholesterol and fatty acid levels were observed, indicating lipid profiles closely linked to heart health. Senior author and Senior Clinical Lecturer in endodontics at King’s College London Dr Sadia Niazi said: “Our findings show that root canal treatment doesn’t just improve oral health – it may also help reduce the risk of serious health conditions like diabetes and heart disease. It’s a powerful reminder that oral health is deeply connected to overall health”.

From: https://uk.dental-tribune.com/news/root-canal-therapy-linked-to-reduced-inflammation-and-improved-blood-glucose-control/.

A new way to prevent gum disease without wiping out good bacteria

Researchers at the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities College of Biological Sciences and the School of Dentistry set out to explore how bacteria in the mouth communicate and whether that communication could be deliberately disrupted. Their goal was to determine if interfering with these signals could help prevent plaque buildup and support a healthier oral microbiome. The findings, published in the journal npj Biofilms and Microbiomes, suggest that this approach could reshape how doctors think about treating bacterial diseases.

The researchers discovered several important patterns in how oral bacteria communicate and organise themselves: bacteria in dental plaque generate acyl homoserine lactone (AHL) signals in oxygen-rich areas (such as above the gumline), and those signals can be detected by bacteria living in oxygen-poor regions (beneath the gumline); and, eliminating AHL signals using specialised enzymes called lactonases led to an increase in bacterial species associated with good oral health. These results indicate that carefully chosen enzymes might be used to reshape dental plaque communities and help maintain a healthy balance of microbes.

Mikael Elias, Associate Professor in the College of Biological Sciences and senior author of the study, said: “Understanding how bacterial communities communicate and organize themselves may ultimately give us new tools to prevent periodontal disease – not by waging war on all oral bacteria, but by strategically maintaining a healthy microbial balance”. The team believes this strategy could eventually lead to therapies for other parts of the body, where imbalances in the microbiome are linked to illness and certain forms of cancer.

From: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/12/251215084218.htm.