Clinical Efficacy of Aloe Vera Toothpaste on Periodontal Parameters of Patients with Gingivitis—A Randomized, Controlled, Single-masked Clinical Trial

Abstract

This study aims to assess the effects of aloe vera toothpaste on dental plaques and gingivitis. This single-center, single-blind, randomized, two-period crossover study was performed on 20 dental students with a mean age of 24.5 ± 4 years with gingivitis. Subjects were randomly assigned to two groups (n = 10). After 14 days of trial period, plaque index (PI) and gingival index (GI) were assessed for each group. The first group used aloe vera toothpaste for 30 days and then their PI and GI were recorded. A 2-week washout period was allowed and then the subjects used fluoride toothpaste for the next 30 days and underwent PI and GI assessment again. This order was reversed in group 2. Toothpaste-containing aloe vera showed no significant improvement in the GI and PI scores as compared with a fluoride-containing dentifrice. PI was 2.14 ± 1.3 at baseline and 1.84 ± 1.02 in 30 days (p <0.098). GI was 0.62 ± 0.74 at baseline and 0.25 ± 0.46 at 30 days (p <0.068). During the trial, no side effects were seen due to the use of aloe vera or fluoride toothpaste. The effect of aloe vera toothpaste on PI and GI was similar to that of fluoride toothpaste and it seems that this toothpaste can be used as an alternative to a chemical toothpaste. The use of an aloe vera toothpaste in improving the progression of gingivitis can be evaluated.