Six-month evaluation of Parodontax dentifrice compared to a placebo dentifrice.

Parodontax dentifrice, containing herbal ingredients and a sodium bicarbonate abrasive, has shown antiplaque effectiveness in laboratory and short term clinical studies. This study was to evaluate the efficacy of Parodontax versus a calcium carbonate placebo dentifrice using American Dental Association guidelines. Subjects (128) were randomly assigned to the two groups. Indices used were plaque area, gingivitis, bleeding on probing and stain at baseline, three and six months of unsupervised home use. With a minimal acceptable level of significance set at p < .05, the results of the ANOVA found no differences between the two groups on any parameter monitored at baseline or on the stain scores between the groups at any point in the study. Plaque area scores decreased with time in both groups and at three and six months Parodontax was significantly lower compared to the placebo on total surfaces. At six months, gingivitis scores decreased significantly in both groups compared to baseline. Bleeding on probing scores at six months were significantly lower in the Parodontax group compared to the placebo group. In this clinical study Parodontax dentifrice was found to be an effective agent for reducing plaque area, bleeding on probing and gingivitis.