Substantivity of toothpaste slurries and their effect on reestablishment of the dental biofilm.

OBJECTIVES

Toothpastes are good vehicles for antibacterial substances to exert a prolonged effect. This effect depends on the substantivity and ability to interfere with plaque metabolism and/or vitality. It was the purpose of this clinical, randomized 2 x 4 cell crossover study to evaluate and to compare the antibacterial effects of two toothpastes (Colgate Total(R), COL and Parodontax(R), PAR) applied as slurries on established plaque over 24 h (Part I) and their effect on 4-day plaque regrowth (Part II). Chlorhexamed(R) (0.1%; CHX) and water served as positive and negative controls.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

After professional toothcleaning eight students were asked to refrain from all mechanical hygiene measures for the next 72 h. After 48 h plaque was sampled and vitality of the plaque flora examined (baseline, VF0%). The subjects then rinsed for 1 min with 15 mL of one of the test or control solutions. Every second hour up to 14 h and 24 h after rinsing, plaque sampling and staining was performed to assess plaque vitality (VF2-24, Part I). In Part II, the classical 4-day plaque regrowth design was used with two rinses (1 min) a day as the only oral hygiene measure. Vitality values were assessed on day 1 and day 4 (VF1, VF2). At day 4, teeth were stained to assess the whole mouth plaque index (PlI) and to evaluate the percentage of plaque area (PA) of the anterior teeth.

RESULTS

Compared to placebo, all active rinses reduced plaque vitality significantly over a period of 24 h (Part I). PAR, COL and CHX revealed reductions of 18-31%, 28-50% and 19-50%, respectively. In Part II, similar reductions of all parameters were found for all active rinses (PAR 12-30%, COL 34-51%, CHX 40-64%).

CONCLUSIONS

Colgate Total has shown a significant action on plaque regrowth and a high substantivity during 24 h, while Parodontax revealed a more moderate but still significant effect.