Effectiveness of Three Different Toothpaste Formulations in Reduction of Plaque and Gingivitis: A Comparative Clinical Study

Abstract

ABSTRACT The role of dental plaque in gingivitis and periodontitis is well established. It is commonly observed that daily brushing often fails to achieve and maintain optimum gingival health. In order to improve the efficacy of the self-performed mechanical tooth cleaning procedure, antimicrobial substances like chlorhexidine, metallic ions, fluorides and various phenolic compounds have been evaluated, as such adjuvants in clinical trials that have been added to dentifrice used during tooth brushing. Triclosan (2, 4, 4' trichloro-2'hydroxyphenylether) is a nonionic antibacterial agent with broad spectrum activity against both gram-positive and gram-negative organisms. Recently, triclosan was introduced in toothpaste and mouth rinses for control of plaque and gingivitis. However, maximum antiplaque activity is shown when triclosan is used in combination with agents like copolymer polyvinyl methyl ether maleic acid (PVM/MA). The PVM/MA copolymer retains the triclosan on the soft and hard surfaces of the oral cavity for several hours. This study aims in proving efficacy of triclosan copolymer toothpaste over the triclosan alone and non-triclosan toothpaste in reduction of plaque and gingivitis.