Washington, July 18 - The aloe vera plant's ability to heal burns and cuts and soothe pain has been documented as far back as the 10th century. Now, it has also gained popularity as an active ingredient in tooth gel.

Similar to its use on skin, the aloe vera in tooth gels is used to cleanse and soothe teeth and gums, and is as effective as toothpaste to fight cavities, according to a study.

Aloe vera tooth gel is intended to perform the same function as toothpaste, which is to eliminate disease-causing bacteria in the mouth.

The ability of aloe vera tooth gel to successfully perform that function has been a point of contention among dental professionals.

The new study compared the germ-fighting ability of an aloe vera tooth gel to two commercially popular toothpastes and revealed that the aloe vera tooth gel was just as effective, and in some cases more effective, than the commercial brands at controlling cavity-causing organisms.

But, because aloe vera tooth gel tends to be less harsh on teeth, as it does not contain the abrasive elements typically found in commercial toothpaste, it is a great alternative for people with sensitive teeth or gums.