Abstract
The effect of toothpaste containing a bacteria adsorbing agent on plaque removal was evaluated under a double-blind cross-over experimental design as compared with an inactive control. The subjects were 80 dentate volunteers of dental students (42 males, 38 females, age: 18 to 42 years, average 21.7 years). The representative 6 teeth (upper right 1st molar, lateral left 1st premolar, lower right 1st premolar, left lateral 1st molar) were examined for plaque removal. The height of plaque from the cervical gingival margin of the tooth was measured. Each subject was allocated a toothpaste according to predetermined randomization. During the 1St week and the 5th the week (washout week), the subjects toothbrushed with the same assigned toothbrushes and toothpastes. The subjects were instructed to brush with placebo or test toothpaste during the 1st and the 2nd 4-week study period. The subjects brushed with their ordinary brushing method, and refrained from using any other oral hygiene products during the 10-week experimental period. Scoring of plaque was performed at the end of each 4-week study period. Also, at the beginning of each 1st week, one-shot plaque removal was evaluated for each toothpaste. Moreover, the toothpastes' side effects on oral soft tissues, teeth, restorations and change in oral bacterial flora were observed, using phase contrast microscopy.
The following results were obtained: 1) Toothbrushing with the test toothpaste was statistically more effective (p<0.05) for plaque removal than that with the placebo. 2) No side effects were observed with either toothpaste; 3) Effectiveness for plaque control was obtained with the test toothpaste containing a bacteria adsorbing agent. J. Jpn. Soc. Periodontol., 41: 450-460, 1999.
