Dental caries (tooth decay) is one of the most important global oral health problems. Tooth decay can have a negative impact on activities of daily living and consequently on a person’s quality of life. Of the many species of microbes normally present in the oral cavity, Streptococcus mutans is the most significant bacterial group implicated in development of dental caries. Consequently, reducing the bacterial load is a practical prevention strategy. Various chemo-mechanical aids have been used towards achieving the goal. But many of the chemical constituents become disadvantageous due to various reasons like formation of stains and development of microbial resistance with prolonged use. As a result, researching and scientifically validating newer formulations becomes significant. This literature review briefly sums up the scientific basis of few indigenously used medicinal plants in India which have shown action against oral microorganisms like Streptococcus mutans. These studies have the potential to be converted into commercial preparations with appropriate field trials.