Formulation and Evaluation of Natural Dental Herbal Prophylaxis Paste Using Aloe barbadensis Miller Extract for Oral Care in Enugu, Nigeria
1 Department of Dental Technology, Faculty of Dental Health, Federal University of Allied Health Sciences, Enugu, Nigeria.
2 Department of Dental Therapy, Faculty of Dental Health, Federal University of Allied Health Sciences, Enugu, Nigeria.
3 Department of Dental Technology, School of Health Technology, Federal University of Technology, Owerri, Nigeria.
4 Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, Federal University of Allied Health Sciences, Enugu, Nigeria.
5 Department of Dental Technology, School of Dental Health Sciences, Shehu Idris College of Health Sciences and Technology, Markfi, Nigeria.
Research Article
Open Access Research Journal of Chemistry and Pharmacy, 2025, 07(02), 001-016.
Article DOI: 10.53022/oarjcp.2025.7.2.0016
Publication history:
Received on 03 September 2025; revised on 11 October 2025; accepted on 13 October 2025
Abstract:
Aloe vera, specifically the Aloe barbadensis Miller variety, is widely recognized for its medicinal properties, particularly in oral care. This study aimed to formulate and evaluate a natural dental herbal prophylaxis paste using this plant, focusing on its effectiveness in controlling cavity-causing bacteria compared to conventional dental products. Conducted in Enugu, Nigeria, the research employed an experimental and descriptive cross-sectional design. The formulation for the natural dental paste included various ingredients: sorbitol, calcium carbonate, sweetener, herbal extract, coloring agent, sodium bicarbonate, menthol, sodium fluoride, binding agent, preservative, sodium lauryl sulfate, and distilled water. The final product was a smooth, free-flowing herbal paste. Data analysis was performed using descriptive and inferential statistics, revealing demographic details about respondents: 60% were male, with half of the participants aged between 31 and 40 years; 80% were married, and 40% held a Postgraduate Diploma, with some having less than five years of experience in dental therapy. When evaluating the product, 40% of respondents preferred its abrasive properties, while 80% favored its effectiveness for dry gums, and 70% appreciated its cold compression technique. The product showed promise in terms of efficacy, foaming ability, and cost-effectiveness. A significant correlation was found between the cost-effectiveness of the natural herbal prophylaxis paste and its efficacy, with a correlation coefficient of 0.463 at a 5% significance level. The study concludes that there is a need to promote research in herbal dental products, highlighting the potential antimicrobial benefits of such formulations. It also suggests that further efforts should focus on purifying raw materials to enhance the quality of herbal dental products and reduce reliance on imported alternatives.
Keywords:
Aloe vera; Dental; Herbal; Toothpaste; Prophylaxis paste; Oral Care
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Copyright © 2025 Author(s) retain the copyright of this article. This article is published under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Liscense 4.0