Comparative Efficacy of Gingival Massage of Aloe-vera gel and Sidr Honey on Gingival health: a randomized clinical trial

Abstract Background Inflammation of gingival tissues in response to bacterial plaque accumulation is a key risk factor for the onset of gingivitis and progression towards periodontal inflammation. Thus, control of gingival inflammation is a prerequisite to sustain gingival health. Honey has been used in gingivitis and periodontal diseases for its antibacterial and healing properties, on the other hand, use of aloe-vera gel for its anti-inflammatory properties, has been reported in dentistry for many oral conditions. The main objective of the study was to find out the effects of gingival massage with aloe-vera gel and sidr honey as adjunct as well as the difference in the efficacy of aloe-vera gel and sidr honey in reducing clinical parameters. Method: 105 patients with gingivitis were selected in this single-blinded Randomized control clinical trial. At recruitment dental prophylaxis i-e ultra-sonic scaling (US) was performed. At baseline all clinical parameters, gingival index, plaque index and bleeding on probing were recorded. All the participants were then randomly divided into three groups, Group A: US & Gingival massage with aloe-vera gel, Group B: US & Gingival massage with Sidr honey and Group C US only. On 30th day of trial all the patients were re-examined for all the clinical parameters. Results: Gingival massage with both interventions showed statistically significant improvement in plaque index, gingival index and bleeding on probing. In Group A and B highly, significant differences were observed in plaque index (<0.001), gingival index (<0.001) and bleeding on probing after gingival massage with interventions when compared with control group. However, when group A was compared to group B significant differences were observed in gingival index. Conclusion This clinical trial showed that gingival massage with both naturopath’s aloe-vera gel and sidr honey had significant effect in reducing plaque index, gingival index and bleeding on probing when used as adjuncts in patients with gingivitis. However, sidr honey gingival massage was more effective than aloe-vera gel in comparison to control group. Trial Registration no: ClinicalTrials.gov, under the protocol ID NCT05231096 (https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT05231096).