EFFECTS OF ORAL RINSING WITH TRICLOSAN AND SODIUM LAURYL SULFATE ON DENTAL PLAQUE-FORMATION - A PILOT-STUDY

Mouthwashes containing 0.3% or 0.15% triclosan in combination with 1.5 % sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) produced a significant reduction in plaq ue formation in a test panel of 11 students who refrained from oral hy giene during the test periods, during which they rinsed twice daily wi th different mouthwashes. Pl.I. was evaluated after each test period. A mouthwash containing only 1.5% SLS inhibited plaque to almost the sa me degree. In both cases, the major effect was on the buccal/lingual s urfaces, where score 2 was changed to score 0. Addition of triclosan a ppeared to reduce the untoward side-effects of mouthwashes containing SLS alone (i.e. desquamation and a burning sensation in the mouth).