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The effects of 0.5% chlorhexidine and 0.2% triclosan containing toothpastes on salivary bacterial counts
Author(s) -
Jenkins Susan,
Addy Martin,
Newcombe Robert
Publication year - 1990
Publication title -
journal of clinical periodontology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.456
H-Index - 151
eISSN - 1600-051X
pISSN - 0303-6979
DOI - 10.1111/j.1600-051x.1990.tb01067.x
Subject(s) - triclosan , antimicrobial , gingivitis , chlorhexidine , toothpaste , medicine , dentistry , dental plaque , saliva , microbiology and biotechnology , biology , pathology
A number of antimicrobial compounds could be incorporated into toothpastes to enhance plaque inhibitory effects. However, the number of possible formulations is immense and makes clinical testing in plaque and gingivitis studies difficult. In this study, the effects on salivary bacterial counts of a number of chlorhexidine and triclosan toothpastes was evaluated as a predictor of persistance of antimicrobial action in the mouth. The study was a supervised, randomised 15‐way crossover study employing 10 healthy human volunteers. All toothpastes were brushed for 1 min and comparison made with a 0.2% chlorhexidine rinse. The latter produced a large drop in salivary bacterial counts to the end of the 7‐h study period. The toothpastes decreased salivary bacterial counts and all but two had notably more effect than a water brushing. No toothpaste showed a significant persistance of antimicrobial effect beyond 5 h. In the light of available plaque inhibition data for the toothpastes, persistance of antimicrobial activity beyond 5 h will be necessary for a clinical effect on plaque and gingival health. The method appears to be a simple and rapid screening technique for products formulated to enhance plaque inhibition mediated through an antimicrobial action.