title: Use of alcohol-free antimicrobial mouth rinse is associated with decreased incidence of preterm birth in a high-risk population.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We sought to determine if treatment of periodontal disease during pregnancy with an alcohol-free antimicrobial mouth rinse containing cetylpyridinium chloride impacts the incidence of preterm birth (PTB) in a high-risk population.
  
  
  METHODS
  This single-blind clinical trial studied pregnant women (6-20 weeks' gestation) with periodontal disease who refused dental care. Subjects receiving mouth rinse were compared to designated controls who did not receive rinse (1 rinse:2 controls), balanced on prior PTB and smoking. Primary outcome was PTB <35 weeks.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In all, 226 women were included in the analysis (71 mouth rinse subjects, 155 controls). Incidence of PTB <35 weeks was lower in the rinse group compared to controls (5.6% and 21.9% respectively, P < .01); relative risk was 0.26 (95% confidence interval, 0.096-0.70). Gestational age and birthweight were significantly higher in the rinse group (P < .01).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A nonalcohol antimicrobial mouth rinse containing cetylpyridinium chloride was associated with decreased incidence of PTB <35 weeks.
authors.affiliation: Department of Periodontology, School of Dental Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA. jeffcoat@dental.upenn.edu
authors.forename: Marjorie
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Jeffcoat
authors.forename: Samuel
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Parry
authors.forename: Robert W
authors.initials: RW
authors.lastname: Gerlach
authors.forename: Matthew J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Doyle
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000890:Anti-Infective Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D009067:Mouthwashes / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D010510:Periodontal Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy; D011247:Pregnancy; D047928:Premature Birth / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D012307:Risk Factors; D016037:Single-Blind Method; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000890:Anti-Infective Agents; D009067:Mouthwashes