Antimicrobial Effects of Aloe Vera Compared to Conventional Dental Antimicrobials

Objectives: This article compares the antibacterial effects of Aloe Vera gel to 7 conventionally used dental antibacterial agents. Methods: Cultured plates with standard agar solutions under aerobic and anaerobic conditions as necessary for about 48 hours of incubation. Results: The following grade of antibacterial effect against Streptococcus mutans was observed (from greatest to least): 1. Sodium hypochlorite, 2. Colgate Total (triclosan + fluoride), 3. Hydrogen peroxide, 4. Sodium fluoride, 5. Chlorhexidine, 6. Iodine, 7. Aloe Vera gel, 8. Listerine (eucalyptol/menthol/thymol/methyl salicylate). The preliminary results showed that Aloe Vera gel is significantly more effective than Listerine and Saline (Scheffe post hoc test, p<0.001) against S. mutans. CHX, Fluoride, Iodine, Bleach, Peroxide, and Triclosan are all significantly more effective than Aloe Vera Gel(Scheffe post hoc test, p<=.001) against S. mutans. There is no statistically significant difference in the effectiveness of Aloe Vera Gel against P. gingivalis when compared to Listerine and Saline (Scheffe post hoc test, p=1.0). CHX, Fluoride, Iodine, Bleach, Peroxide, and Triclosan are all significantly more effective against P. gingivalis than Aloe Vera gel (Scheffe post hoc test, p<=.001). There is no statistically significant difference in the effectiveness of Aloe Vera gel when compared to Listerine and Saline (Scheffe post hoc test, p=1.0) against S. oralis. CHX, Fluoride, Iodine, Bleach, Peroxide, and Triclosan are all significantly more effective than Aloe Vera gel (Scheffe post hoc test, p<=.001) against S. oralis. Conclusion: Our results indicate that when testing Aloe Vera gel against S. mutans (cariogenic pathogen), P. gingivalis (periodontal pathogen), and S. oralis (commensal oral flora), Aloe Vera gel is selectively effective against S. mutans only.