title: An in vitro study to assess the efficacy of antiplaque agents in mouthwash formulations.
abstract: A rapid and simple in vitro test to evaluate antiplaque mouthwash formulations for their effectiveness in preventing the formation of dental plaque micro-organisms was investigated. Streptococcus mutans grown in brain heart infusion broth containing 5% sucrose was used as the plaque-inducing micro-organism and polymethylmethacrylate (Perspex) strips provided the substrate for the deposition of plaque. Over a period of 3 days the strips were treated twice daily with mouthwash. The Perspex strips were then stained using a plaque disclosing agent, and plaque development was measured using a double beam visible spectrophotometer. The colour intensity of the strips was recorded by laser colour copy to allow visual comparison of results. Two novel antiplaque mouthwash formulations, containing 0.05% cetyl pyridinium chloride and 0.05% chlorhexidine gluconate respectively were compared with a commercially available product and a placebo. The technique provides a simple, reproducible in vitro test which is sufficiently sensitive to differentiate between similar formulations.
authors.affiliation: MRF Consultants, Fareham, Hampshire, Great Britain.
authors.forename: M R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Frost
authors.forename: M P
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Harris
mesh_terms: D001422:Bacterial Adhesion / Q000187:drug effects*; D002594:Cetylpyridinium / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002710:Chlorhexidine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000494:pharmacology; D003124:Colorimetry; D003773:Dental Plaque / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D004353:Drug Evaluation, Preclinical / Q000379:methods*; D020366:Methylmethacrylate; D008768:Methylmethacrylates; D009067:Mouthwashes / Q000494:pharmacology*; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D013194:Staining and Labeling; D013295:Streptococcus mutans / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D008768:Methylmethacrylates; D009067:Mouthwashes; D020366:Methylmethacrylate; D002594:Cetylpyridinium; C010882:chlorhexidine gluconate; D002710:Chlorhexidine