Pomelo essential oil

Background Streptococcus mutans and Candida albicans are key contributors to oral diseases because of their strong ability to form resilient biofilms on dental material surfaces. These biofilms pose significant challenges for infection control and treatment. Natural essential oils, known for their antimicrobial properties, have emerged as promising alternatives to conventional chemical agents. Methods This study evaluated the antimicrobial and antibiofilm effects of pomelo essential oil on 3 types of dental materials: acrylic, composite resin, and the bis-acrylic compound Tempofit (DETAX GmbH & Co KG). The essential oil was applied at various concentrations to both preformed biofilms and as a pretreatment before microbial exposure. Cytotoxicity was assessed using HEK293T cells to determine safety. Results Pomelo essential oil exhibited dose- and time-dependent biofilm eradication across all tested materials. It significantly reduced microbial viability in established biofilms and effectively inhibited biofilm formation when applied as a pretreatment. Cytotoxicity analysis revealed a median lethal dose of 0.03658%, indicating low toxicity to human cells. Conclusions The findings showed that pomelo essential oil is a safe and effective natural agent for disrupting and preventing biofilm formation on dental materials. Its potential application in commercial oral care products may offer a safer alternative for managing biofilm-associated infections in clinical settings.