Comparison between the effects of Aloe vera and chlorhexidine on clinical periodontal parameters

Background: Periodontal diseases are one of the major dental pathologies that affect human populations worldwide at high prevalence rates The term periodontal disease usually refers only to plaque related inflammatory disease of the dental supporting tissues. Mouth rinses which act as an anti-plaque agents mostly used as adjuncts to oral hygiene. Aims of the study: To Estimate and compare the effects of Aloe vera relative to chlorhexidine on the clinical periodontal parameters (plaque index, gingival index, bleeding on probing). Material and method: A total of 44 subjects with plaque-induced gingivitis, baseline of data were collected for (PLI, GI, and BOP) and underwent oral hygiene instruction, scaling and polishing, then divided into: Study group I : 15 patients instructed to use Aloe vera mouth wash (100% pure Aloe vera juice) for home application twice daily for 7 days. Study group II: 15 patients instructed to use chlorhexidine (0.2%) mouthwash twice daily for 7 days. Control group: 14 patients instructed not to use any adjunct. Results: PLI and BOP showed significant differences between 1st and 2nd visits in all groups with the larger effects were found in chlorhexidine followed by Aloe vera while the lowest change was found in control group. GI showed significant change between 1st and 2n visits in study groups (chlorhexidine and Aloe vera groups) with the larger effects was in chlorhexidine group, while there was no significant changes were found in control group. Conclusion: chlorhexidine remain the bench mark control as adjunct to periodontal therapy but Aloe vera can be used as alternative to chlorhexidine when it cannot be used.