The effect of a toothpaste containing 2% zinc citrate/0.3% Triclosan on the glycolysis of plaque bacteria ex vivo after food intake.
OBJECTIVE
To develop an ex vivo plaque pH method to assess the efficacy of a new zinc citrate/Triclosan formulation.


METHODS
Study (1) focussed on method development. Study (2) examined the effect of a toothpaste containing 2% zinc citrate/0.3% Triclosan on the pH of plaque after product use and consumption of pizza. Study (3) investigated the effect of the same formulation and a fluoride toothpaste on the pH of plaque without an 'eating occasion'. The pH of plaque samples was measured over 10 minutes in the presence of glucose.


RESULTS
The test product significantly reduced the amount of acid produced 30 minutes (p = 0.0035) and 3 hours (p = 0.0018) after brushing (study (2)). In study (3) use of the test product significantly reduced the amount of acid produced 3 hours after brushing (p = 0.0023). No significant benefit was found for the fluoride toothpaste.


CONCLUSIONS
An ex vivo plaque pH method has been developed which can detect changes in acid produced following brushing with different toothpastes. A toothpaste containing 2% zinc citrate/0.3% Triclosan significantly reduced the total acid produced for at least 3 hours after product use. Moreover it has been demonstrated that this effect is detectable even after eating.
Adams
S E
SE
Unilever Oral Care, Quarry Road East, Bebington, Wirral, UK. suzi.adams@unilever.com
Lloyd
A M
AM
Naeeni
M A
MA
Cooper
Y L
YL
Holt
J S
JS
D000328:Adult; D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002327:Cariostatic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D019343:Citric Acid / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D003773:Dental Plaque / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004435:Eating; D005260:Female; D005459:Fluorides / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005502:Food; D005947:Glucose / Q000378:metabolism; D006019:Glycolysis / Q000187:drug effects*; D006801:Humans; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D008297:Male; D013997:Time Factors; D014100:Toothpastes / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014260:Triclosan / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015032:Zinc / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local; D002327:Cariostatic Agents; D014100:Toothpastes; D019343:Citric Acid; D014260:Triclosan; D005947:Glucose; D015032:Zinc; D005459:Fluorides