TITLE:
Efficacy of a triclosan/copolymer dentifrice and a toothbrush with tongue cleaner in the treatment of oral malodor: A monadic clinical trial
AUTHORS:
Prem K. Sreenivasan, Violet I. Haraszthy, Joseph J. Zambon, William DeVizio
KEYWORDS:
Halitosis; Oral Malodor; Triclosan; Tongue
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Stomatology,
Vol.3 No.1,
March
29,
2013
ABSTRACT: Aim: Oral malodor (halitosis) is a widespread condition caused by oral bacteria, particularly sulfur compound-producing species. This study assessed the effect of a triclosan/copolymer-containing dentifrice and a novel toothbrush with attached tongue cleaner on oral malodor and on the bacteria colonizing the dorsal surface of the tongue. Materials and Methods: 14 adult subjects with oral malodor defined as organoleptic scores ≥ 3 (scale 0 - 5) and mouth air sulfur levels ≥ 250 ppb participated in this study. Subjects were examined at baseline and after 28 days use of the triclosan dentifrice and toothbrush/tongue cleaner for: 1) organoleptic assessment; 2) mouth air sulfur levels; 3) tongue coating; and, 4) dorsal tongue surface microorganisms. Total bacterial numbers were assayed by microscopy. Dot-blot hybridization was used to assess a panel of 20 oral bacteria. Results: After 28 days, all subjects had significantly reduced organoleptic scores and mouth air sulfur levels compared to baseline (p 70% reduction in microbial numbers (p Enterococcus faecalis (p Peptostreptococcus micros (p Prevotella melaninogenica (p Porphyromonas gingivalis (p Solobacterium moorei (p