title: Comparative evaluation of the antimicrobial efficacy of aloe vera tooth gel and two popular commercial toothpastes: an in vitro study.
abstract: Aloe vera (Aloe barbadensis Miller) has been suggested for a wide variety of ailments but its use in dentistry is limited. This article reviews the uses of the plant and describes an in vitro investigation that compared the antimicrobial effectiveness of aloe vera tooth gel with two popular, commercially available dentifrices. The preliminary results showed that aloe vera tooth gel and the toothpastes were equally effective against Candida albicans, Streptococcus mutans, Lactobacillus acidophilus, Enterococcus faecalis, Prevotella intermedia, and Peptostreptococcus anaerobius. Aloe vera tooth gel demonstrated enhanced antibacterial effect against S. mitis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pedodontics and Preventive Dentistry, Pushpagiri College of Dental Sciences, Tiruvalla, Kerala, India.
authors.forename: Dilip
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: George
authors.forename: Sham S
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Bhat
authors.forename: Beena
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Antony
mesh_terms: D000504:Aloe; D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001419:Bacteria / Q000187:drug effects*; D003802:Dentifrices / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D028321:Plant Preparations / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local; D003802:Dentifrices; D028321:Plant Preparations