Phytotherapy studies the use of plants with therapeutic potential, derived from popular knowledge, which is passed down from generation to generation, is considered an alternative to medical and dental treatment. The present study aimed to review the literature on the use of herbal remedies aloe vera, calendula, chamomile, copaiba, malva, papain, penicillin, propolis, pomegranate and tansage, relating popular use with the scientific evidence in dentistry. We searched for articles in the databases of Scielo and Pubmed using phytotherapy, medicinal plants and dentistry, published between 2005 and 2015, which were grouped according to the medicinal plant. All the plants studied presented therapeutic potential and application in dentistry. The antibacterial potential was identified in aloe vera, calendula, copaiba, papain, propolis, pomegranate and tansagem, the healing action is present with the use of aloe vera, calendula, papain and propolis and analgesic with camomile, copaiba, malva and penicillin, besides of them all had anti-inflammatory power. Therefore, these phytotherapics should be considered as an alternative in the treatment of oral diseases because they present properties that aim to improve the signs and symptoms present in the oral cavity during pathological processes, with easy access.