The role of Triclosan in dentifrice formulations, with particular reference to a new 0.3% Triclosan calcium carbonate-based system.

AIM: To discuss the role of Triclosan in dentifrice systems and demonstrate the enhanced efficacy of Triclosan in calcium carbonate-based systems when the level of the antimicrobial agent is raised from 0.2% to 0.3%. Triclosan is the most commonly used antimicrobial agent in oral care products, being compatible with a wide range of ingredients found in toothpaste formulations, whilst having no negative sensory features (e.g. taste, staining) that are associated with some other antimicrobial/anti-plaque agents. Triclosan is a broad spectrum antimicrobial agent, with additional anti-metabolic and anti-inflammatory properties. When delivered to the mouth in oral care products, Triclosan can selectively inhibit Gram negative anaerobic bacteria implicated in gingivitis and periodontal diseases, while leaving species associated with oral health relatively unaffected. Worldwide, attempts have been made to boost delivery/activity of Triclosan, either by use of copolymers or by combination with other agents such as zinc citrate. However, Triclosan has also been shown to maintain clinical efficacy against plaque and gingivitis when present as the sole antimicrobial in toothpaste formulations.

Anti-microbial efficacy and mode of action studies on a new zinc/ Triclosan formulation.

OBJECTIVE: To test in vitro the anti-plaque/ antimicrobial efficacy of a new toothpaste formulation containing a 2% zinc citrate/ 0.3% Triclosan anti-microbial system compared with a 0.75% zinc citrate/ 0.3% Triclosan system and where appropriate, against controls of a standard fluoride paste and a 0.3% Triclosan/ 2% copolymer product. METHODS: The anti-metabolic activity was assessed using a range of assays measuring the ability of the active systems to inhibit bacterial glycolysis. The antibacterial/ anti-plaque activity was assessed in an in vitro multispecies biofilm assay. RESULTS: Both zinc formulations were shown to have significantly superior activity at inhibiting glycolysis compared with the 0.3% Triclosan/ 2% copolymer formulation and the standard fluoride paste, particularly in reducing the pH drop after sugar challenge, the new formulation having the greatest activity. Likewise, in the antibacterial assay, both zinc formulations were found to have significantly superior activity over a standard fluoride paste and the 2% zinc citrate/ 0.3% Triclosan formulation was shown to be significantly better than 0.75% zinc citrate/ 0.3% Triclosan formulation. CONCLUSION: These data provide support for the enhanced performance of the 2% zinc citrate/ 0.3% Triclosan formulation.

Plaque antibacterial levels following controlled food intake and use of a toothpaste containing 2% zinc citrate and 0.3% Triclosan.

OBJECTIVES: 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.