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Steroid sex hormones have a significant effect on different organ systems. As far as gingiva is concerned, they can influence the cellular proliferation, differentiation and growth of keratinocytes and fibroblasts. Estrogen is mainly responsible for alterations in blood vessels and progesterone stimulates the production of inflammatory mediators. In addition, some micro-organisms found in the human mouth synthesize enzymes needed for steroid synthesis and catabolism. In women, during puberty, ovulation, pregnancy, and menopause, there is an increase in the production of sex steroid hormones which results in increased gingival inflammation, characterized by gingival enlargement, increased gingival bleeding, and cervicular fluid flow and microbial changes.

Hormones are specific regulatory molecules that have potent effects on the major determinants of the development and the integrity of the skeleton and oral cavity including periodontal tissues. Sex hormones have long been considered to play an influential role on periodontal tissues, bone turnover rate, wound healing and periodontal disease progression. This review focuses on the effects of endogenous sex hormones on the periodontium and the goal is to inform and update practitioners' knowledge about the impact of these hormones on periodontal status.

There is a long and venerable history of the use of plants to improve dental health and promeote oral hygiene. Plant contain phytochemicals such as alkanoids, tannins, essential oils and flavanoids which have pronounced defensive and curative activity. India is a vast country with people from different cultures and communities. There are many species of medicinal plants belonging to various families which are being used, traditionally, to control and cure a variety of dental problems by the Indian population. The proper documentation of traditional knowledge may be helpful to promote further research in dental science. [J Intercult Ethnopharmacol 2012; 1(1.000): 62-65