V. Kjaerheim et al., SIGNIFICANCE OF CHOICE OF SOLVENTS FOR THE CLINICAL EFFECT OF TRICLOSAN-CONTAINING MOUTHRINSES, Scandinavian Journal of Dental Research, 102(4), 1994, pp. 202-205
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.