Effect of Aloe Vera mouthwash on moderate gingivitis: Clinical and microbiological study

Abstract

Background and objectives: Gingivitis is an inflammatory process confined to the gingiva with no attachment or bone loss, Aloe Vera (AV) is an ancient medicinal plant that is widely known for its medicinal uses. This study was planned to assess the effect of AV as a mouthwash on clinical periodontal parameters; plaque index (PI), gingival index (GI) and bleeding index (BI) and to evaluate its antibacterial effect on bacterial plaque Staphylococcus Aureus and Streptococcus Viridans, comparing it with chlorhexidine (CHX) mouthwash. Subjects and methods: Sixty patients with moderate gingivitis were randomly assigned to three groups. The subjects in the first group (A) used 0.12% CHX mouthwash, the second group (B) used 80% AV mouthwash and the third group (C) used 0.9% normal saline as placebo for 14 days. Clinical examinations to assess PI, GI and BI were done at days 0, 14 and 21 post treatment. The antibacterial activity of AV mouthwash was tested using Agar Well Diffusion method. Statistical Analysis: SPSS version 25. Mean ± (SD), normality test, ANOVA and T test. Results: Significant reduction in the mean of PI, GI and BI at day 14 and 21 by using AV and CHX mouthwashes and statistically non-significant difference was observed between them. Means of the inhibition zone diameter against Streptococcus Viridans for CHX and AV were (15.64 ± 0.71 and 13.52 ± 1.02) respectively and against Staphylococcus Aureus were (23.33 ± 1.52) for CHX and (20 ±1) for AV. Conclusions: The use of AV mouthwash results in improvement of periodontal status. It was also found that it has significant anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory activity. Thus, it may be used as a treatment for plaque-induced gingivitis.