title: The effect of a mouthrinse containing chlorhexidine and fluoride on plaque and gingival bleeding.
abstract: The aim of this study was to test the effect of a rinse with 0.05% sodium fluoride and 0.05% chlorhexidine on plaque and gingival inflammation compared with a placebo without these agents. In a double-blind study, 47 adults with > 20 teeth and a CPITN score > 1 but < 4 were randomised into test and control groups. After baseline assessments for plaque, bleeding and stain, teeth were professionally cleaned. Subjects were asked to rinse for 30 s with 10 ml of the respective test or placebo rinse after normal oral hygiene for 8 weeks. 39 subjects completed the study. There was no significant difference in the 2 groups at baseline with respect to either plaque or bleeding scores. After scaling and 8 weeks use of the test rinse, there were significant reductions (p < 0.001) in both plaque and bleeding. The control group showed no significant reduction in plaque scores after 8 weeks, but a significant (p < 0.05) reduction in bleeding. However, this reduction was significantly greater (p < 0.001) in the test group than in the control. The test group had a significantly greater (p < 0.05) stain score than the control at baseline. After scaling and rinsing for 8 weeks, stain scores were lower for both groups compared to baseline but reached significance (p < 0.05) only for the control group. It is concluded that, as an adjunct to normal oral hygiene, the chlorhexidine/fluoride rinse had a significant inhibitory effect on plaque and bleeding but its effect on staining is uncertain.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral Medicine and Periodontology, London Hospital Medical College, UK.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Joyston-Bechal
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Hernaman
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002710:Chlorhexidine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002985:Clinical Protocols; D003773:Dental Plaque / Q000517:prevention & control*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D005884:Gingival Hemorrhage / Q000517:prevention & control*; D005891:Gingivitis / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009067:Mouthwashes; D010919:Placebos; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012969:Sodium Fluoride / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014075:Tooth Discoloration / Q000139:chemically induced
chemical_list: D009067:Mouthwashes; D010919:Placebos; D012969:Sodium Fluoride; D002710:Chlorhexidine