SIGNIFICANCE OF CHOICE OF SOLVENTS FOR THE CLINICAL EFFECT OF TRICLOSAN-CONTAINING MOUTHRINSES

The aim of this study was to investigate the plaque-inhibiting effect of triclosan. It is known that triclosan and sodium lauryl sulfate (SL S) have a marked inhibitory effect. However, since SLS has a plaque-re ducing effect in itself, the relative importance of triclosan and the surfactant is undecided. Twelve dental students participated in the tr ial, during which oral hygiene was suspended for 4-day periods when th e different mouthrinses were used twice daily. The following mouthrins es were used: A, water (negative control); B, 0.2% chlorhexidine aceta te (CHX) (positive control); C, 0.3% triclosan in water-free propylene glycol (PG); D, 0.3% triclosan with 1.5% SLS in PG; E, 0.15% triclosa n in PG; F, 0.075% triclosan in PG; G, 0.3% triclosan in diluted PG (1 :8 in water) with 1.5% SLS; and H, 0.3% triclosan in 0.5% sodium carbo nate. The results showed that triclosan dissolved in the organic solve nt PG had a significant plaque-inhibiting effect, whereas, dissolved i n alkali, it had a negligible effect. The addition of SLS to PG somewh at reduced the antiplaque activity, and the aqueous solution of triclo san had markedly less effect. Lower concentrations of triclosan exhibi ted less clinical effect than higher concentrations. It can be conclud ed that triclosan alone, dissolved in a suitable solvent, has an antip laque effect. The study confirmed the hypothesis that the nature of th e detergent or organic solvent used to dissolve triclosan affects its clinical effect markedly. In vitro tests showed a similar antibacteria l effect of solutions C: G, and H.