Plaque antibacterial levels following controlled food intake and use of a toothpaste containing 2% zinc citrate and 0.3% Triclosan.
OBJECTIVE
To measure the levels of zinc and Triclosan present in plaque 12 hours post-brushing and following two weeks home use of a toothpaste formulation containing 2% zinc citrate and 0.3% Triclosan. To measure the levels of zinc and Triclosan in plaque following two weeks home use of the test toothpaste formulation together with a further morning's brushing and a day of controlled food intake.


METHODS
A total of 104 subjects completed the study. Plaque samples were taken before use of the test toothpaste and again after a specified regime of product use and food intake. The samples were analysed for zinc or Triclosan.


RESULTS
Levels of zinc and Triclosan in plaque 12 hours after last brushing and following a 2-week home usage of product, were 149.1 microg/g and 8.6 microg/g respectively. Following a morning brushing and a day of controlled food intake zinc and Triclosan levels were 94.7 microg/g and 4.1 microg/g respectively. These levels of agents were found to reduce pH drop in vitro.


CONCLUSIONS
Regular use of a toothpaste containing 2% zinc citrate and 0.3% Triclosan can lead to a build-up of antibacterial agents in plaque that continue to work even after controlled food intake.
Hall
P J
PJ
Unilever Oral Care, Quarry Road East, Bebington, Wirral, UK. pete.hall@unilever.com
Green
A K
AK
Horay
C P
CP
de Brabander
S
S
Beasley
T J
TJ
Cromwell
V J
VJ
Holt
J S
JS
Savage
D J
DJ
D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local / Q000032:analysis* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002626:Chemistry, Pharmaceutical; D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; D019343:Citric Acid / Q000032:analysis* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003773:Dental Plaque / Q000737:chemistry*; D004435:Eating; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005502:Food; D006801:Humans; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D013054:Spectrophotometry, Atomic; D014099:Toothbrushing; D014100:Toothpastes / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014260:Triclosan / Q000032:analysis* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015032:Zinc / Q000032:analysis* / Q000627:therapeutic use
D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local; D014100:Toothpastes; D019343:Citric Acid; D014260:Triclosan; D015032:Zinc