Comparative effect of a new mouthrinse containing chlorhexidine, triclosan and zinc on volatile sulphur compounds: a randomized, crossover, double-blind study.
OBJECTIVE
The aims of this study were to compare the volatile sulphur compounds (VSC)-reducing effect of two commercial mouthrinses using a morning bad breath model and to assess the role of mechanical plaque control (MPC) when performed previously to mouthrinse use.


METHODS
Eleven volunteers with good oral health were enrolled in a double-blind, randomized, six-step crossover design study with a 7-day washout period. Two commercial mouthrinses were tested using a saline solution (NaCl 0.9%) as a negative control: one mouthrinse contained 0.05% chlorhexidine, 0.05% cetylpyridinium chloride and 0.14% zinc lactate (CHX-CPC-Zn), while the other contained 0.05% chlorhexidine, 0.15% triclosan and 0.18% zinc pidolate (CHX-triclosan-Zn). A portable sulphide monitor (Halimeter(®) ) was used for VSC quantification. Measurements were made at baseline, and 1, 3 and 5 h after rinsing. Significant differences were detected by analysis of variance.


RESULTS
No significant differences between groups were detected at baseline. We were unable to demonstrate a significant influence of mechanical plaque control on the reduction of VSC levels when performed before mouthrinse use (P = 0.631). Both mouthrinses effectively lowered VSC levels in all test intervals (P < 0.05). No statistically significant differences were found between mouthrinses in any of the test intervals (P = 0.629, 0.069 and 0.598 at 1, 3 and 5 h).


CONCLUSIONS
This study demonstrated that CHX-CPC-Zn and CHX-triclosan-Zn have significant and similar effects in reducing VSC levels, which persist for at least 5 h. Such effects were independent of previous MPC, which failed to improve on the results of mouthrinse use alone.
Department of Periodontology, Faculty of Dental Medicine of Oporto, Oporto University, Porto, Portugal.
L
L
Mendes
Department of Periodontology, Faculty of Dental Medicine of Oporto, Oporto University, Porto, Portugal.
J
J
Coimbra
Department of Periodontology, Faculty of Dental Medicine of Oporto, Oporto University, Porto, Portugal.
A L
AL
Pereira
Department of Periodontology, Faculty of Dental Medicine of Oporto, Oporto University, Porto, Portugal.
M
M
Resende
Department of Periodontology, Faculty of Dental Medicine of Oporto, Oporto University, Porto, Portugal.
M G
MG
Pinto
D000328:Adult; D002594:Cetylpyridinium / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002710:Chlorhexidine / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D003773:Dental Plaque / Q000188:drug therapy; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006209:Halitosis / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000188:drug therapy*; D064368:Healthy Volunteers; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009067:Mouthwashes / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D012965:Sodium Chloride / Q000627:therapeutic use; D013440:Sulfides / Q000032:analysis; D013457:Sulfur Compounds / Q000737:chemistry*; D013997:Time Factors; D014260:Triclosan / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015032:Zinc / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D009067:Mouthwashes; D013440:Sulfides; D013457:Sulfur Compounds; D012965:Sodium Chloride; D014260:Triclosan; D002594:Cetylpyridinium; D015032:Zinc; D002710:Chlorhexidine
halitosis; mouthrinses; volatile sulphur compounds