Evaluation of antimicrobial efficacy of Aloe vera and Meswak containing dentifrices with fluoridated dentifrice: An in vivo study

AIM: To comparatively evaluate the antimicrobial efficacy of fluoridated and herbal dentifrices. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixty students in the age group 6–12 years with DMF/def score 0 were selected from an orphanage center. The participants were divided into four groups. In group A, no dentifrice was used; in group B, fluoride containing dentifrice was used; group C subjects used Aloe vera containing dentifrice; and in group D, Meswak containing dentifrice was used. The salivary samples were collected at the washout period of 2 days, 15 days, and 30 days and cultured on Mitis Salivarius Agar for determining Streptococcus mutans count. Results obtained were statistically analyzed using Student's t-test. RESULTS: There was an increase in bacterial count in group A where no dentifrices were used, while the bacterial count steadily decreased in groups B, C, and D by 83.7%, 80.94%, and 83.5%, respectively. CONCLUSION: Herbal dentifrices containing A. vera and Meswak can be safely recommended as an alternative to fluoridated dentifrices in terms of antimicrobial efficacy.