Anti-plaque efficacy of a chalk-based antimicrobial dentifrice.

A chalk-based antimicrobial dentifrice was developed and has undergone in vitro testing to determine antimicrobial efficacy by kill-time studies, and in vivo clinical studies to determine anti-plaque build-up properties. The antimicrobial efficacy of the formulation is attributable to the following components; sodium lauryl sulphate, sodium monofluorophosphate, flavouring oils, triclosan, and low water activity. In vitro kill-time testing showed the dentifrice to have good activity against organisms associated with plaque, showing at least 99% reductions in the numbers of each organism. In vivo clinical results showed the dentifrice to protect against the build-up of plaque when compared to water alone. These results demonstrate that this dentifrice is effective in controlling plaque, and can thus be expected to promote good oral hygiene.