ABSTRACTThe use of herbs for improvement of oral hygiene is increasing in many communities in Nigeria despite the usage of other dental care products. On the basis of this the present study was conducted to assess indigenous plants used to manage dental condition and mouth odour and to evaluate nutritional, phytochemicals and antinutrient content of the plants. A survey was conducted to document plants used for treatment of toothache and mouth odour in Ijebu-Ode Local Government Area. Using

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... om sampling technique, a total of one hundred structured questionnaire was administered to Traditional Health Practitioners in three major markets of the study area. Nutritional, phytochemical and anti-nutrient contents of most used plants were evaluated. Data were analyzed using Statistical Analysis System. Means were separated using Duncan's Multiple Range Test at 5% level of significance (p < 0.05). A total of twenty-three (23) plants belonging to sixteen families were enumerated out of which Capsicum frutescens, Piper guineense fruits and Zanthoxylum zanthoxloides roots were the most exploited for management of the conditions. Crude fibre (8.86 %), fat (1.12%) and ash contents (4.73%) were significantly (p < 0.05) higher in Z. zanthoxloides roots while moisture (25.75 %) was significantly higher (p <0.05) in C. frutescens fruits. Calcium (192.10 mg/100g), phosphorus (108.50mg/100g), sodium (51.33 mg/100g), iron (4.85mg/100g), Zinc (3.94 mg/100g), manganese (1.15mg/100g) and copper (2.12 mg/100g) were significantly (p < 0.05) higher in Z. zanthoxloides roots compared C. frutescens and P. guineense fruits. Vitamin A (600.00µ/100g), vitamin B (0.07.00 mg/100g), vitamin C (94.54mg/100g) and vitamin E (720.00) were significantly (p< 0.05) higher in C. frutescens than Z. zanthoxloides and P. guineense. Results also showed that tannin (6.40 %), oxalate (30.00%), phytate (0.40%) and trypsin inhibitor (20.00 %) were significantly hig [...]