The effect of long-term use of a dentifrice containing zinc citrate and a non-ionic agent on the oral flora.
The effect on the oral ecology of daily use, for seven months, of a dentifrice containing 0.5% (w/w) zinc citrate and a non-ionic agent, i.e., 0.2% (w/w) Triclosan (2,4,4'-trichloro-2'-hydroxydiphenyl ether), has been monitored on 13 adult volunteers. Plaque and saliva were sampled monthly and the bacterial flora analyzed. Twenty-six volunteers used a placebo dentifrice as part of their normal oral hygiene for four months to establish the baseline microbial flora. The volunteers were then split into two equal groups: One group continued to use the placebo dentifrice; the other used the dentifrice containing zinc citrate and Triclosan. There was no evidence that seven months' use of a dentifrice containing 0.5% zinc citrate and 0.2% Triclosan caused shifts in the oral microbial ecology, nor was there any evidence of developing bacterial resistance to Triclosan.
Jones
C L
CL
Unilever Research, Gibbs Dental Division, Port Sunlight Laboratory, Merseyside, United Kingdom.
Ritchie
J A
JA
Marsh
P D
PD
Van der Ouderaa
F
F
D000328:Adult; D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002175:Candida / Q000187:drug effects*; D002327:Cariostatic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015169:Colony Count, Microbial; D003773:Dental Plaque / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology; D003802:Dentifrices / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003902:Detergents / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D005459:Fluorides / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D008875:Middle Aged; D010710:Phosphates / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012463:Saliva / Q000382:microbiology; D013295:Streptococcus mutans / Q000187:drug effects*; D017211:Treatment Failure; D014260:Triclosan / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D017967:Zinc Compounds / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use
D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local; D002327:Cariostatic Agents; D003802:Dentifrices; D003902:Detergents; D010710:Phosphates; D017967:Zinc Compounds; C012980:fluorophosphate; D014260:Triclosan; D005459:Fluorides