## 1 Introduction  
Periodontal diseases are polymicrobial diseases of the supporting structures of the teeth. The advanced stage of the disease, namely periodontitis, might lead to the loss of the supporting structure of the teeth, including the alveolar bone, and, consequently, tooth loss [1]. Although a dental biofilm is necessary for disease initiation, damage to the periodontal tissues is mainly a result of the host's inflammatory-immune reaction to this microbial challenge. In addition, the susceptibility of individuals to periodontitis appears to be impacted by several local and systemic risk factors, such as diabetes, smoking, and systemic diseases [2]. The human oral cavity provides a suitable environment for more than 700 bacterial species. However, only a low percentage might be involved directly in the initiation and progression of periodontal diseases [3]. In almost every patient with periodontitis,_Porphyromonas gingivalis (P. gingivalis)_, known as a keystone pathogen and one of the red complex species, can be found in subgingival biofilm samples [4]. It is a Gram-negative, rod-shaped, anaerobic, and non-motile bacterium colonizing the subgingivally located pockets. Despite its low abundance in the gingival crevice, it can negatively impact the composition of the normal oral flora and encourage the growth of inflammation-inducing microbiota [5]. On the other hand, the orange-complex species include _P. intermedia_, a Gram-negative, anaerobic bacterium with black pigmentation that has been linked to periodontal diseases such as periodontitis, puberty-associated gingivitis, and acute necrotizing ulcerative gingivitis [6; 7]. Scaling and root planing (SRP) form the gold standard in periodontal therapy [8]. SRP prepares the periodontal environment for tissue healing by mechanically removing supragingival and subgingival plaques. However, SRP alone cannot remove calculus and other harmful factors from deep periodontal pockets that require additional antimicrobial agents to boost the mechanical debridement of the tooth surfaces [9]. Due to their relatively fewer side effects than antibiotics, numerous herbal extracts have been used as an adjunct to periodontal treatment [10]. Herbal products have recently gained popularity for treating oral and dental diseases, and these products are available as mouth rinses, toothpaste, gels, and chips [11]. The use of natural products such as essential oils (EOs) as antimicrobial agents has increased in medicine and dentistry over the last few decades because of their safety and widespread acceptance by the population worldwide. Herbal products are effective against infections, carcinomas, and cardiovascular and neurological disorders [12]. _Cuminum cynium_ and _Foeniculum vulgare_ are aromatic spices, herbs, and natural food preservatives belonging to the _Apiaceae_ family. The _Cuminum cynium_ essential oils (_CEO_) and _Foeniculum vulgare (FEO_) are safe natural compounds that can be substituted for synthetic preservatives and additives in the food industry. Additionally, these EOs have been reported to possess a broad range of biological activities [13]. Clinically isolated periodontal pathogens are more virulent than laboratory reference strains that have been sub-cultured for decades since their initial isolation and may have lost critical pathophysiological characteristics. Additionally, significant genetic variations have been identified in laboratory reference strains and their clinical counterparts. This high genetic adaptability raises issues about the usefulness of laboratory bacterial strains for studying \"real-world\" pathogenesis. Consequently, any investigation based on laboratory strains may underestimate critical pathophysiological aspects exclusive to clinical strains [14]. Furthermore, most laboratory reference strains have reduced a biofilm-forming ability relative to clinical counterparts of the same species [13], suggesting critical genetic shifts affecting bacterial pathogenicity.