Western Society of Periodontics

Clinical Studies

Volume Number 3, 1995

The effect of a dentifrice containing chlorhexidine and zinc on plaque, gingivitis, calculus and tooth staining

This six-month study was conducted to evaluate the effect of a zinc/chlorhexidine-containing dentifrice formulation on dental plaque, gingivitis, calculus, and tooth staining in an adult population with a history of established plaque and gingivitis. A mouth rinse containing 0.12% CHX served as a positive control; a gum-care dentifrice without CHX was used as a control. A total of 208 subjects participated in the study. After three and six months of a product use, the same assessments as performed at baseline were made. After six months of product use, all groups had less plaque, less gingivitis, and all developed calculus and tooth staining. For the positive control group and for the experimental group, significant reduction in plaque and gingivitis were seen compared with the control group. Significantly more calculus developed in the positive control group, while the experimental group was no different from the control group. Tooth staining was significantly higher for the groups using CHX-containing products compared with the control group. The experimental dentifrice users, however, developed less staining compared with the positive control. It was shown that the use of the experimental formulation leads to a significantly improved oral hygiene with fewer side effects compared with the control product. [E.L.H.]