Comparing three toothpastes in controlling plaque and gingivitis: A 6-month clinical study.

Purpose: To investigate the clinical efficacy of three toothpastes in controlling established gingivitis and plaque over 6 months. Methods: 135 subjects were enrolled in a single-center, double-blind, parallel group, randomized clinical study. Subjects were randomly assigned to one of three treatments: triclosan/copolymer/fluoride dentifrice containing 0.3% triclosan, 2.0% copolymer and 1,450 ppm F as sodium fluoride in a silica base; herbal/bicarbonate dentifrice containing herbal extract and 1,400 ppm F as sodium fluoride in a sodium bicarbonate base; or fluoride dentifrice containing 450 ppm F as sodium fluoride, and 1,000 ppm F as sodium monofluorophosphate. Subjects were instructed to brush their teeth twice daily for 1 minute for 6 months. Results: After 6 months, subjects assigned to the triclosan/copolymer/fluoride group exhibited statistically significant reductions in gingival index scores and plaque index scores as compared to subjects assigned to the herbal/bicarbonate group by 35.4% and 48.9%, respectively. There were no statistically significant differences in gingival index and plaque index between subjects in the herbal/ bicarbonate group and those in the fluoride group. The triclosan/copolymer/fluoride dentifrice was statistically significantly more effective in reducing gingivitis and dental plaque than the herbal/bicarbonate dentifrice, and this difference in efficacy was clinically meaningful. (Am J Dent 2015;28:68-74). CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: The results of this double blind clinical study supported the conclusion that brushing twice daily with a triclosan/copolymer/fluoride dentifrice can help promote oral health by reducing plaque and gingivitis, whereas the herbal/bicarbonate dentifrice was no more effective than the fluoride dentifrice. : Dr. Yun-Po Zhang, Colgate-Palmolive, 909 River Road, Piscataway, NJ 08854, USA. E: yun_po_zhang@colpal.com