Clinical efficacy of dentifrices in the control of calculus, plaque, and gingivitis.

Several dentifrices are available in the market for the control of calculus, plaque, and gingivitis. The anticalculus activity of the pyrophosphate dentifrice formulation has been convincingly demonstrated. Recently, dentifrices containing 0.3% triclosan and 2.0% Gantrez have been shown to possess some anticalculus activity, in addition to their antiplaque and antigingivitis properties. Similarly, sequential application of sanguinarine-containing dentifrice with a brush, followed by a rinse of 30 to 60 seconds, also provides sustained antiplaque and antigingivitis effects. However, other dentifrices have had much less convincing clinical results. It is therefore important for dentists to interpret the therapeutic claims of various antiplaque and antigingivitis dentifrices cautiously before recommending these products to patients.