Aloe Vera: Its Potential Use in Wound Healing
and Disease Control in Oral Conditions
By Dr. Timothy E. Moore, D.D.S/M.S.,P.C.

Aloe Vera has been shown to enhance defense mechanisms, and it has a variety of components to help combat periodontal disease and other oral conditions. As a periodontist utilizing aloe vera in various consistencies for the last 14 years with over 6,000 documented patients who have been treated with applications, I've observed remarkable healing, reduced edema, and pain control.

There are eight main uses of aloe vera in dental practice:

1. Applications directly to the the sites of periodontal surgery.

2. Applications to the gum tissues when they have been traumatized or scratched by toothbrush-dentifrice abrasion, sharp foods, dental floss, and toothpick injuries.

3. Chemical burns are relieved quickly from accidents with aspirin.

4. Extraction sites respond more comfortably and dry sockets do not develop when aloe vera is applied.

5. Acute mouth lesions are improved by direct application on herpetic viral lesions, aphthous ulcers, canker sores, and cracks occurring at the corners of our lips. Gum abscesses are soothed by the applications as well.

6. Other oral diseases chronic in nature respond with Lichen Planus and Benign Pemphigus. Even gum problems associated with AIDS and Leukemia patients receive relief. Migratory glossititis, geographic tongue and Burning Mouth Syndrome are improved.

7. Denture patients with sore ridges and ill-fitting dentures and partials can benefit as fungises and bacterial contamination reduce the inflammatory irritations.

8. Aloe vera can also be used around dental implants to control inflammation from bacteria contamination.

Other oral disorders such as Candidiasis, Desquamative Gingivitis, Vesiculobullous diseases, acute monocytic leukemia, hematological disorders and nutritional problems all respond to aloe vera use. Even diabetes mellitus, Sjorgen's Syndrome, menopausal patients and medications which can cause Xerostomia or dry mouth.

Interest is gathering momentum across our country as researchers are becoming interested in alternative therapy utilizing natural products versus synthetic agents. Aloe vera research is currently being undertaken at Oklahoma University, Baylor University, and Loma Linda.

Lastly, it was a privilege to use aloe vera on the bombing victims in the April 1995 disaster in Oklahoma City. The attendants, doctors and especially the injured learned that the healing capabilities of aloe vera far exceeded their expectations in pain control and healing time reduction.

Aloe vera has an unlimited future in new applications, and I sense in dentistry we are just on the cutting edge of promising utilization for anti-inflammatory procedure, antiviral, and immunological benefits for our patients.

  Source: International Aloe Science Council (iasc.com)

The Use of Aloe Vera in Dentistry
by Richard Sudworth

     The dental uses of Aloe Vera are multiple. It is extremely helpful in the treatment of gum disease; it reduces the bleeding of the gums; it is powerfully antiseptic in gum pockets and its antifungal properties help greatly in the problem of denture stomatitis.

     Aloe Vera has been used medicinally for a few thousand years. It was sufficiently in demand that Hannibal was known to have gone to war over it in order to obtain control over its growing area (N. Africa). It is still very much in use today for a wide range of ailments. Orthodoxly it is used in burns units to great effect and is increasingly being used in the treatment of dermatological lesions. Several studies on burns have been conducted in comparison trials between Aloe products and non-Aloe. The Aloe seems to promote more rapid healing and pain relief.

    There are many species of Aloe but the main medicinal one is Aloe Vera Barbadensis. It is a member of the lily family and grows in hot places. The problem with Aloe has always been that of maintaining its therapeutic function because it is unstable and oxidises rapidly like any cut leaf or fruit. If it grows near you, this is not a problem. It has been due to the relatively recent successful stabilisation process that has so greatly increased the use of Aloe to a worldwide population.

     Aloe acts in many ways. It is particularly known for its penetrating capacity to reach deeper layers of the dermis when applied topically. It has strong antiseptic properties being bactericidal, fungicidal and virucidal. It promotes cell growth. It is neurologically calming and also acts as a detoxifying agent. I think it will be a long time before it is thoroughly understood just how extensively Aloe does work. At present, there is a research programme being conducted into its uses which is part NHS funded. If we consider the constituents of Aloe, it will be easier to understand its range of action.

     The dental uses of Aloe Vera are multiple. It is extremely helpful in the treatment of gum disease – gingivitis and periodontitis. It reduces swelling of the soft tissues and consequently this reduces the bleeding of the gums. It is powerfully antiseptic in gum pockets where normal cleaning is difficult. Its antifungal properties help greatly in the problem of denture stomatitis, ie. red and sore mucous membranes which are permanently covered by a denture – this is a form of thrush. Cracked and split corners of the mouth are also subject to fungal infection and this can be cured by Aloe. Its antiviral properties help in the treatment of cold sores (Herpes Simplex) and shingles (Herpes Zoster). It is a powerful healing promoter and when inserted into extraction sockets is very beneficial. It can be used in any surgical wound. It has a use in root canal treatment as a sedative dressing, healing promoter and file lubricant. In an article of this length and nature, it is not possible to go into greater detail.

     The various forms of Aloe used in dentistry are: – the toothpaste; the gelly for healing promotion, which can also be used for burns, stings, insect bites and many skin lesions; the Aloe & Propolis hand cream which helps to counteract frequent hand washing and the wearing of latex gloves; the Aloe activator spray which is excellent for throat infections, painful erupting wisdom teeth and joint pains; lastly, the Aloe juice which is taken as a drink. This is used in conjunction with any topical treatment for skin lesions, joint lesions and, in itself, as an amelioration in irritable bowel syndrome. The juice is also a strong detoxifying agent and if used in conjunction with the planned removal of mercury amalgams acts as a scavenging agent for mercury, a neuro-sedative and immune enhancer. As a routine general tonic it generally makes people feel better who are otherwise not well enough but not frankly ill. Because of the many properties and functions of Aloe, it is a powerful nutritional supplement and anti-oxidant. It protects and promotes healing.

     It is important to choose an Aloe product which is concentrated, pure, stabilised and preferably grown organically. Some products carry a label bearing an accreditation "Seal of Approval of the International Aloe Science Council". This seal guarantees those desirable necessities outlined above.