Triclosan/Copolymer/NaF Dentifrice in Controlling Oral Malodor and Plaque Bacteria

Objectives: The purposes of the study were to investigate the clinical efficacy on 12-hour overnight oral malodor and plaque bacteria reduction of a dentifrice (Colgate Total Advanced Toothpaste, Test) containing 0.3% triclosan, 2% copolymer, 0.243% NaF to a commercially-available dentifrice (Crest Cavity Protection Toothpaste, Negative Control) containing 0.243% NaF for the management of oral malodor and plaque bacteria.

Methods: (Oral Malodor) A panel of four expert judges used a nine-point hedonic scale to evaluate oral malodor using a protocol designed in accordance with the ADA Guideline for Oral Malodor. Following a baseline evaluation, subjects with hedonic scores above the threshold value for unpleasant breath were randomized into two treatment groups. Subjects brushed their teeth for 1 min with their assigned dentifrice in the evening (8PM), after which they were scored for oral malodor at 12 hours in the morning of next day (8AM). Before oral malodor evaluations, the subjects refrained from eating odorigenic foods, using brushing, rinsing and flossing. (Micro) The plaque samples collected at baseline and overnight evaluations were dispersed in sterilized water by vortexing for 10 seconds. Each sample was serially diluted in phosphate buffered saline and plated, in duplicate, on tryticase soy agar with 5% sheep blood to enumerate total bacteria. The plate was incubated anaerobically for 72 hours at 37oC. Colony-forming units were counted.

Results: Relative to the Negative Control group, the Test group exhibited statistically significant 28.9% reduction in oral malodor score, and 49.1% reduction in plaque bacteria at 12-hour overnight evaluation. The mean 12-hour overnight oral malodor score for the Test group was within the range of scores corresponding to pleasant breath odor.

Conclusions: Colgate Total Advanced Toothpaste can provide more 12-hour overnight oral fresh breath protection, and 12-hour overnight total bacteria reduction as compared to a fluoride-containing toothpaste.