Comparing three toothpastes in controlling plaque and gingivitis: A 6-month clinical study.

PURPOSE: To investigate the clinical efficacy of three toothpastes in controlling established gingivitis and plaque over 6 months. METHODS: 135 subjects were enrolled in a single-center, double-blind, parallel group, randomized clinical study. Subjects were randomly assigned to one of three treatments: triclosan/copolymer/fluoride dentifrice containing 0.3% triclosan, 2.0% copolymer and 1,450 ppm F as sodium fluoride in a silica base; herbal/bicarbonate dentifrice containing herbal extract and 1,400 ppm F as sodium fluoride in a sodium bicarbonate base; or fluoride dentifrice containing 450 ppm F as sodium fluoride, and 1,000 ppm F as sodium monofluorophosphate. Subjects were instructed to brush their teeth twice daily for 1 minute for 6 months. RESULTS: After 6 months, subjects assigned to the triclosan/copolymer/fluoride group exhibited statistically significant reductions in gingival index scores and plaque index scores as compared to subjects assigned to the herbal/bicarbonate group by 35.4% and 48.9%, respectively. There were no statistically significant differences in gingival index and plaque index between subjects in the herbal/ bicarbonate group and those in the fluoride group. The triclosan/copolymer/fluoride dentifrice was statistically significantly more effective in reducing gingivitis and dental plaque than the herbal/bicarbonate dentifrice, and this difference in efficacy was clinically meaningful.

Instant dentin hypersensitivity relief of a new desensitizing dentifrice containing 8.0% arginine, a high cleaning calcium carbonate system and 1450 ppm fluoride: a 3-day clinical study in Chengdu, China.

PURPOSE: To compare, with a double-blind, randomized, parallel-design clinical study, the hypersensitivity efficacy of a new Pro-Argin formula dentifrice containing 8.0% arginine, a high cleaning calcium carbonate system and 1450 ppm fluoride to a previously validated Pro-Argin formula dentifrice containing 8.0% arginine, calcium carbonate and 1450 ppm fluoride, and to a control toothpaste containing calcium carbonate and 1450 ppm fluoride, instantly after a single direct topical self-application using a fingertip, and after subsequent brushing for 3 days. METHODS: Qualifying subjects from the Chengdu, China area who presented two hypersensitive teeth with a tactile score of 10 to 50 grams, and an air blast score of 2 or 3, participated in this study. The first phase of the study consisted of a single topical application of the assigned product directly onto the hypersensitive surface of each of the two hypersensitive teeth. Study subjects applied a pea-size amount of their toothpaste onto the hypersensitive surface and massaged for 1 minute. The second phase of the study consisted of twice-daily at-home brushing with the toothpaste for 3 days. RESULTS: All one hundred and twenty-two (122) subjects complied with the study protocol and completed the study. There was good balance among the three groups at baseline. The mean tactile sensitivity scores for the new Pro-Argin formula dentifrice, the previously validated Pro-Argin formula dentifrice, and the control dentifrice were at baseline 14.88, 14.76 and 14.38, and after direct application were 28.90, 29.02 and 15.88, and after 3 days of brushing were 34.51, 33.41 and 16.00, respectively. The mean air blast scores at baseline were 2.11, 2.12 and 2.15, and after direct application were 1.21, 1.18 and 2.06, and after 3 days of brushing were 0.80, 0.83 and 1.93, respectively. Immediately after direct application and after 3 days of brushing, for both the tactile and air blast sensitivity scores, the differences between the two dentifrices containing 8.0% arginine and the control were statistically significant. There were no statistically significant differences between the two 8.0% arginine dentifrices immediately after direct application and after 3 days of brushing.