A STUDY OF A PREBRUSHING MOUTHRINSE AS AN ADJUNCT TO ORAL HYGIENE

A PREVIOUS CLINICAL SCREENING STUDY demonstrated that a cetylpyridiniu m chloride (CPC) essential oil mouthrinse inhibited plaque regrowth to a significantly greater extent than a negative control or a triclosan /copolymer rinse when used without toothbrushing. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the same ingredient combination as a prebrushing rinse over a 6-week period. The study employed a 4 group parallel des ign with a minimum of 50 subjects per group. Subjects with a minimum b aseline plaque index of 1.95 were recruited. The formulations employed were two variations of a CPC/essential oil rinse, a triclosan/copolym er product, and a hydroalcohol negative control. Subjects were rendere d plaque free at baseline and then rinsed twice daily before toothbrus hing with their allocated product. Plaque was scored at 6 days and 6 w eeks. Plaque scores were reduced at 6 days compared to baseline but th ere were no significant differences between any of the groups. At 6 we eks, plaque scores were significantly lower in both CPC/essential oil groups compared to control. Although both CPC/essential oil groups sho wed plaque scores which were lower than the triclosan group, in only o ne of the groups was the difference significant. The triclosan product was not significantly different from control. The results support the previous findings that a CPC/essential oil rinse could be a useful ad junct to oral hygiene when used prior to normal toothbrushing.