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.

Reduction of micronuclei in oral lichen planus supplemented with beta-carotene.

An elevated frequency of micronucleated exfoliated cells (MEC) in atrophic and erosive oral lichen planus (OLP) has been reported. To evaluate the effects of supplemental beta-carotene (BC) on MEC frequency in OLP lesions, we performed an open trial in 20 patients with atrophic and/or erosive OLP. Each patient received 15 mg of BC four times daily for 3 months. The frequency of MEC in both lesions and adjacent normal mucosa in each patient was evaluated and compared before and after supplementation. Serum levels of BC and retinol were also determined. After BC supplementation, all patients had higher levels of serum BC and retinol. The MEC frequency in OLP lesions was significantly reduced (P < 0.01). No significant changes were seen in the MEC frequency in adjacent normal mucosa. BC supplementation thus significantly reduces MEC frequency in atrophic and erosive OLP.

Effects of potassium ions on dentine sensitivity in man.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the effect of applying 500 mmol/l KCl at a pressure of 150 mm Hg above atmospheric to exposed dentine on pain sensation evoked by probing and air blast stimuli in human subjects. DESIGN: The experiments were carried out on 14 pairs of premolars in 14 human subjects (aged 17-30 years). Dentine was exposed at the tip of the buccal cusp, etched with acid and covered with saline, then 500 mmol/l KCl in Ringer's was applied at a pressure of 150 mm Hg for 4 min. Mechanical probing and air-drying stimuli were performed before and 2, 10, 20, 30 min after applying the KCl solution. The subject indicated the intensity of any pain produced on a visual analogue scale (VAS). Pulpal blood flow was recorded with a laser Doppler flow meter. Exactly the same procedure was carried out on the contralateral tooth except that 500 mmol/l NaCl in Ringer's was used in place of the KCl solution. RESULTS: The pain responses to mechanical probing and air blast stimuli were significantly reduced during the first 10 min after applying the KCl but not the NaCl solution. Pulpal blood flow did not change significantly after either treatment. CONCLUSION: Potassium ions, when applied to exposed dentine at a pressure of 150 mm Hg above atmospheric, produced temporary block of impulse conduction in sensory nerve endings in the dentine or pulp.

Effect of Cha-em Thai mouthwash on salivary levels of mutans streptococci and total IgA.

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of Cha-em Thai (Albizia myriophylla) mouthwash on the mutans streptococci (MS) and immunoglobulin A (IgA) level in saliva. Sixty-seven schoolchildren, age 6-12 years, with MS more than 1x10(5) cfu per milliliter of saliva were entered in this study. They were divided into two balanced groups according to their baseline MS counts (> or = 10(5) cfu/ml). Each group was randomly assigned to use either the Cha-em Thai mouthwash or the placebo mouthwash. After twice daily rinses with their mouthwash for 2 weeks, stimulated saliva were collected and analysed. The MS counts and IgA levels for the two groups were compared. Those rinsing with Cha-em Thai mouthwash showed a significant reduction in MS counts (p<0.05), but the IgA levels were not different. Those rinsing with the placebo mouthwash showed no statistically significant differences in the MS counts or the IgA levels (p>0.05). The results indicate that twice daily use of Cha-em Thai mouthwash can reduce the levels of MS in saliva.