EFFECTS OF A LACTOPEROXIDASE-SYSTEM-CONTAINING TOOTHPASTE ON DENTAL PLAQUE AND WHOLE SALIVA IN-VIVO

The effects of a lactoperoxidase-system-containing toothpaste, Biotene , on saliva and dental plaque were studied. In a double-blind crossove r study 20 healthy volunteers used an experimental (comprising the com plete peroxidase system) or a placebo (without lactoperoxidase, KSCN, and glucose oxidase) toothpaste twice daily for 2 weeks separated by a 2-week washout period. At base lines and at the end of both test peri ods saliva and plaque samples were collected, and plaque pH changes we re monitored. Saliva was analyzed for hypothiocyanite (HOSCN/OSCN-) an d thiocyanate (SCN-) concentrations and salivary peroxidase activity. The amount of total streptococci, mutans streptococci, lactobacilli, a nd total anaerobic flora was determined both in saliva and in plaque s amples. The accumulation and the acidogenicity of plaque were also qua ntitated. A 2-week daily use of Biotene had no effect on salivary flow rate, peroxidase activity, HOSCN/OSCN-, SCN-, or any of the monitored bacterial counts compared with the placebo toothpaste. The accumulati on of dental plaque was not affected by the lactoperoxidase-system-con taining toothpaste. The acidogenicity of plaque did not change signifi cantly, nor did the two test dentifrices differ in their ability to in hibit the plaque pH drop caused by sucrose in subjects with normal sal ivary flow rate.