A comparison of natural product, triclosan and chlorhexidine mouthrinses on 4-day plaque regrowth.

What Was Tested

Researchers studied Zinc and Chlorhexidine in this randomized controlled trial publication.

The aim of this study was to evaluate a number of triclosan and natural product rinses for effects on plaque regrowth.

Why It Was Studied

There is a continuing search for ingredients to enhance the chemical plaque inhibitory action of oral hygiene products.

Sanguinarine, other natural extracts and triclosan have already been used in products.

Who Took Part

The abstract describes 15 volunteers taking part.

The age groups tagged for this paper are adults, both men and women.

How the Study Was Run

In design terms this was a randomized, double-blind and crossover study.

Random assignment meant chance, not the researchers, decided who got Zinc and who got the comparison, which limits bias.

Neither the volunteers nor the staff measuring them knew who was on Zinc, so expectations could not easily colour the readings.

Each person switched between Zinc and the comparison at some point, usually with a gap in between.

In particular, the influence of other rinse components were assessed, notably sodium lauryl sulphate (SLS) and zinc.

What Was Measured

PubMed files the paper under topics including Alkaloids, Astringents, Benzophenanthridines, Chamomile, Chlorhexidine, Chlorides and Dental Plaque.

What This Means in Plain Language

The paper is a randomized, double-blind and crossover study of Zinc and Chlorhexidine in 15 volunteers.

With fewer than 40 people, it is a small study, so it is better read as an early signal for further research than as a settled answer.

The publication is from 1992 (Journal of clinical periodontology), a journal based in United States.

More context: the related Vitamin D, K2, Magnesium and Zinc library page, all human trials.