Effect of a triclosan/PVM/MA copolymer/fluoride dentifrice on volatile sulfur compounds in vitro.
OBJECTIVE
The objective of the investigation was to document the in vitro efficacy of a triclosan/PVM/MA copolymer/fluoride (TCF) dentifrice against the formation of volatile sulfur compounds (VSC) as well as the growth of H2S-producing bacteria. Clinical studies using organoleptic judges, gas chromatography, or a portable sulfide monitor have generally been employed in the assessment of treatments for the control of oral malodor. However, these studies are not appropriate for screening purposes because of the expense and time required.


METHODS
An in vitro method was developed for the purpose of screening new compounds, agents or formulations for their ability to control VSC formation and for determining bio-equivalence of efficacy when implementing changes in existing formulations. The method combines basic microbiological methods, dynamic flow cell techniques and head space analysis. The in vitro VSC method was validated by comparing the efficacy of two dentifrices containing TCF with a control fluoride dentifrice as the TCF products have been clinically proven to control oral malodor.


RESULTS
In the validation studies, the TCF-containing dentifrices were significantly better (P < 0.05) than the control dentifrice in inhibiting VSC formation and reducing H(2)S-producing bacteria. For example, when compared with baseline, the TCF dentifrices reduced VSC formation between 42 and 49% compared with the control dentifrice which reduced VSC formation 3%. There was no significant difference (P > 0.05) between the two TCF dentifrice formulations.


CONCLUSIONS
Using an in vitro breath VSC model, it has been demonstrated that two variants of a dentifrice containing triclosan, PVM/MA copolymer and fluoride have efficacy that is significantly better than a control fluoridated dentifrice and that there is no significant difference between the triclosan/PVM/MA copolymer/fluoride dentifrice variants.
Pilch
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Advanced Technology-Oral Care, Colgate-Palmolive Company Technology Center, Piscataway, NJ 088855-1343, USA.
Williams
M I
MI
Cummins
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D000190:Actinomyces / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D001944:Breath Tests; D002849:Chromatography, Gas; D015169:Colony Count, Microbial; D003802:Dentifrices / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004338:Drug Combinations; D006801:Humans; D006862:Hydrogen Sulfide / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D008298:Maleates / Q000494:pharmacology*; D011095:Polyethylenes / Q000494:pharmacology*; D012463:Saliva / Q000737:chemistry / Q000382:microbiology; D012969:Sodium Fluoride / Q000494:pharmacology*; D013438:Sulfhydryl Compounds / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D013440:Sulfides / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D013457:Sulfur Compounds / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors*
D003802:Dentifrices; D004338:Drug Combinations; D008298:Maleates; D011095:Polyethylenes; D013438:Sulfhydryl Compounds; D013440:Sulfides; D013457:Sulfur Compounds; C005231:methylmercaptan; D012969:Sodium Fluoride; C043105:poly(methyl vinyl ether-co-maleic anhydride); C004784:dimethyl sulfide; D006862:Hydrogen Sulfide