ABSTRACT
Indonesia is a very well-known country for its fruit diversities, one of which is palm trees. Borassus flabellifer L. is the most popular type of palm trees. Medicinal plants hold an important role in human health that is believed to be more safe, efficient, and with the least side effects. Therefore, now there are a lot of medical and oral products combined with medicinal plants are present. Herbal extracts have been used in dentistry for reducing inflammation in the form of antimicrobial, antioxidants, antiviral, antifungal, and analgesics, and are effective in controlling microbial plaque in gingivitis and periodontitis. Several parts of Borassus flabellifer L. have biological properties such as antioxidants, antimicrobial, antiviral, and anticancer. Borassus flabellifer L. content has pharmacological actions as antiinflammatory, antiarthritic, antihalitosis, antitoxic, antibacterial, and pain inhibition. Caries and periodontal disease are still the main oral diseases in Indonesia. The objective of the research is to introduce the uses of Borassus flabellifer L. in dentistry. Therefore, dentists and dental students know and are innovative uses of this herbal plant in medical properties as an alternative herbal medicine. The method uses a comprehensive review on the medicinal properties and the usage of Borassus flabellifer L. in dentistry by collecting, reviewing, correlating, integrating, interpreting, and finally concluding. The main finding of research in dentistry showed the seed coat, root, and sap of Borassus flabellifer L. could inhibit the growth of Streptococcus mutans, Staphylococcus aureus, and Candida albicans. The fruit juice eliminates halitosis and antioxidant properties within the seed coat against inflammation and malignancy. It can be concluded that Borassus flabellifer L. could be used for oral and dental health purposes.
