Caries inhibition efficacy of an antiplaque/antigingivitis dentifrice.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the efficacy of a fluoride dentifrice containing a fixed combination of essential oils (Thymol, Menthol, Eucalyptol, and Methyl Salicylate) in preventing caries in Sprague Dawley rats.


METHODS
The dentifrice contains 0.76% sodium monofluorophosphate (SMFP) as the fluoride source and a silica abrasive system. A fluoride-free placebo and a clinically proven USP dentifrice reference standard for SMFP/silica were included as controls. Three groups of 45 SDV-free Sprague Dawley weanlings were infected by a cariogenic strain of Streptococcus sobrinus and fed cariogenic diet NIH 2000 ad libitum. Animals were treated twice daily (once on weekends) with the assigned dentifrice using a cotton-tipped applicator, for 5 wks, after which they were terminated and caries scored using Larson's modification of the Keyes method.


RESULTS
Analyses of variance were used to compare inter-group means, the total E lesion score was the primary efficacy variable. Compared with the fluoride-free vehicle control, the experimental dentifrice and USP reference standard dentifrice produced a statistically significant reductions of 18.3% and 12.2% respectively for total caries score (P<0.001). Compared with the clinically tested USP positive control dentifrice, the experimental dentifrice produced a statistically significant reduction in the total caries score of 6.9% (P=0.028). The results of this study show that 1) both the new dentifrice containing essential oils and USP dentifrice are statistically significantly effective in reducing caries in the rat model, 2) the anticaries activity of the SMFP dentifrice is not adversely affected with the addition of essential oils.
Yu
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The Warner-Lambert Consumer Healthcare Division of the Warner-Lambert Consumer Group of Pfizer, Morris Plains, NJ, USA. duncan.yu@wl.com
Pearson
S K
SK
Bowen
W H
WH
Luo
D
D
Kohut
B E
BE
Harper
D S
DS
D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000818:Animals; D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002327:Cariostatic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003511:Cyclohexanols / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003731:Dental Caries / Q000382:microbiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D003773:Dental Plaque / Q000517:prevention & control*; D003802:Dentifrices / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004037:Diet, Cariogenic; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D000077591:Eucalyptol; D005052:Eucalyptus; D005459:Fluorides / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005891:Gingivitis / Q000517:prevention & control*; D008610:Menthol / Q000627:therapeutic use; D039821:Monoterpenes; D009822:Oils, Volatile / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014677:Pharmaceutical Vehicles; D010710:Phosphates / Q000627:therapeutic use; D010919:Placebos; D011897:Random Allocation; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D012459:Salicylates / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012822:Silicon Dioxide; D016037:Single-Blind Method; D016986:Streptococcus sobrinus / Q000502:physiology; D013729:Terpenes / Q000627:therapeutic use; D013943:Thymol / Q000627:therapeutic use
D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local; D002327:Cariostatic Agents; D003511:Cyclohexanols; D003802:Dentifrices; D039821:Monoterpenes; D009822:Oils, Volatile; D014677:Pharmaceutical Vehicles; D010710:Phosphates; D010919:Placebos; D012459:Salicylates; D013729:Terpenes; D008610:Menthol; C012980:fluorophosphate; D013943:Thymol; D012822:Silicon Dioxide; C033069:methyl salicylate; D005459:Fluorides; D000077591:Eucalyptol