Chemotherapeutic agents for controlling plaque and gingivitis

Abstract

There has been a vigorous search for many years for chemical agents that could supplement or even supplant patient-dependent mechanical plaque control and thus reduce or prevent oral disease. 5 categories of agents or approaches have been considered: (1) broad spectrum antiseptics, (2) antibiotics aimed at specific bacteria, (3) single or combinations of enzymes that could modify plaque structure or activity, (4) non-enzymatic dispersing or modifying agents and (5) agents that could affect bacterial attachment. The success of these approaches can be evaluated clinically by the use of standard scoring methods for measuring plaque and gingivitis and their safety established by soft tissue and microbiologic examination. Antiseptic agents have received the bulk of the attention over the years. At present, only 2 antiseptics, the bis-biguanide, chlorhexidine gluconate (Peridex) and a combination of phenol related essential oils (Listerine), have developed sufficient supporting data in 6-month (or longer) studies to gain the approval of the Council On Dental Therapeutics of the American Dental Association. On the basis of short-term studies, cetylpyridinium chloride, zinc and copper salts, sanguinarine and octenidine warrant continued study as does stannous fluoride at an appropriate concentration. On the basis of current research, a new generation of more specific antibacterial agents that interfere with attachment to pellicle can be developed. It is hard to predict, however, that they will affect gingivitis, at least until there is more information on what specific organisms should be targeted.

Effect of alcohol consumption status and alcohol concentration on oral pain induced by alcohol-containing mouthwash

“…Studies show that antiseptics kill bacteria in saliva and on the soft tissues of the oral cavity, including the tongue and oral mucosa, which are reservoirs of pathogenic bacteria that transfer to and colonize on teeth (2)(3)(4). Although mouthwash use is considered an adjunctive procedure in oral prophylaxis (5,6), it has been associated with oral pain and mucosal dryness (7,8), especially when alcoholcontaining mouthwashes are used. Pain during mouth rinsing can be discouraging and detrimental to patient compliance (9,10) and may hinder optimal mouthwash rinsing.…”

The Plaque Inhibitory Effect of Aloe Vera Mouthrinse in A Four Day De Novo Plaque Formation Model- A Randomized, Double Blind Crossover Study

“…[12] As the various synthetic antimicrobial agents are associated with adverse effects like tooth staining, taste alteration, immediate hypersensitivity, toxicity and increased resistance; alternative medicines may be developed from medicinal plants to replace synthetic drugs. The present study was undertaken to compare the plaque inhibitory potential of extract from a medicinal plant Aloe vera with a synthetic benchmark control 0.2% CHX.…”

Oral Malodor: A Common Oral Problem

“…Chemical reduction of oral microbial load: Mouthwashes have been used as chemical approach to combat oral malodor. Antibacterial components in oral rinses such as cetylpyridinium chloride (CPC), chlorhexidine, triclosan, essential oils, quaternary ammonium compounds, benzalkonium chloride and hydrogen peroxide have been considered along with mechanical approaches to reduce oral malodour [51][52][53]. Any successful mouthrinse formulation must balance the elimination of the responsible microbes while maintaining the normal flora and preventing an overgrowth of opportunistic pathogens.…”