The effect of a SCN-/H2O2 toothpaste compared to a commercially available triclosan-containing toothpaste on oral hygiene and gingival health -- a 6-month home-use study.

OBJECTIVES

The aim of the study was to compare the gingival health benefits of a thiocyanate/carbamide peroxide toothpaste to that of a triclosan toothpaste in home use.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The study was a two-centre, randomised, double-blind, parallel-group clinical trial, and consisted of a 2-week pre-experimental phase, followed by an experimental period of 6 months. A total of 140 healthy male and female volunteers (70 per group) who had at least 20 natural teeth with no probing depths greater than 5 mm and a mean gingival index (GI) of 1 or more at screening were admitted to the study. The two products were the test toothpaste (RCP) containing 0.5% SCN- (rhodanide), carbamide peroxide (equivalent 0.1% H2O2), and 1450 p.p.m. fluoride, and a control toothpaste (Colgate Total) containing 0.3% triclosan, 2.0% polyvinyl methyl ether maleic acid (PVM/MA), and 1450 p.p.m. fluoride (Triclosan). In the pre-experimental phase, all subjects used a fluoride toothpaste. Plaque (Turesky et al. 1970) and gingivitis (Löe & Silness 1963) were scored prior to beginning the pre-experimental phase, at baseline, and after 6 weeks and 3 and 6 months.

RESULTS

In both the RCP and the Triclosan group, gingival health improved significantly between baseline and the following examinations. Plaque scores decreased significantly between baseline and 6 months in both groups. There were, however, no significant differences between the groups for either gingival index or plaque index.

CONCLUSION

To conclude, this study seems to verify that in normal home use, a toothpaste containing a combination of thiocyanate and carbamide peroxide is as effective in reducing gingival inflammation and supragingival plaque formation as a benchmark control product.