The effect of a 2% zinc citrate, 0.3% Triclosan dentifrice on plaque acid production following consumption of a snackfood

Abstract

Objectives: A)To assess plaque lactate production following consumption of three foods (cake, chocolate/caramel bar, sweetened coffee), and B) To measure the effect of a fluoride dentifrice containing 2% zinc citrate and 0.3% Triclosan on plaque lactate and pH drop following consumption of cake . Methods: A) 10 subjects completed the first study. Plaque samples taken before and at 8,15 and 30 minutes after eating . Samples were analysed for lactate via Capillary Electrophoresis. B) 30 subjects completed the second study. Plaque samples were taken before and after cake and use of test dentifrice or no treatment control. Plaque pH and lactate content were assessed. Results A) Plaque lactate levels increased after all three foods ; peak lactate levels occurred 8 minutes after eating. B) Plaque lactate concentrations after eating cake were 39.2mM for the control treatment and a significantly lower value, 23.6mM , for the test 2% zinc citrate, 0.3% Triclosan dentifrice. After food challenge, pH values were 5.53 for the no treatment group and a Significantly higher value of 5.79 for the test dentifrice group. Conclusions: A toothpaste containing 2% zinc citrate , 0.3% Triclosan can significantly reduce plaque lactate generation and pH drop induced by cake, compared to no treatment control.

Plaque as a Reservoir for Active Ingredients

“…The treatments were carried out in a randomised crossover design. Smooth surface plaque samples were collected before the treatment rinse and 15 min after the sucrose rinse, after which they were analysed for plaque acids by capillary electrophoresis (for details, see [44]). Acetate was the predominant acid in the prerinse samples, whereas lactate was the major acid induced by the sucrose rinse, as observed by other authors [4,[44][45][46][47].…”

“…Smooth surface plaque samples were collected before the treatment rinse and 15 min after the sucrose rinse, after which they were analysed for plaque acids by capillary electrophoresis (for details, see [44]). Acetate was the predominant acid in the prerinse samples, whereas lactate was the major acid induced by the sucrose rinse, as observed by other authors [4,[44][45][46][47]. Figure 2 shows that at both time points, lactate production in plaque was significantly inhibited after the F rinse compared with after the water control rinse by about 50%, consistent with the findings of Oliveby et al [46].…”

The role of Triclosan in dentifrice formulations, with particular reference to a new 0.3% Triclosan calcium carbonate-based system

“…Evidence also exists that Triclosan can interfere with the integrity of bacterial membranes 36,37 , which could inhibit a range of other key functions. Whilst more recent work has shown that Triclosan is not as effective as zinc salts in preventing glycolysis and any subsequent pH fall [38][39][40] , Triclosan has been shown in-vitro to be effective in calcium carbonate-based systems, with an additional benefit on plaque pH and reduction of pH drop delivered via the buffering effect of the calcium carbonate. This will be described in more detail below.…”

The effect of a toothpaste containing 2% zinc citrate/0.3% Triclosan on the glycolysis of plaque bacteria ex vivo after food intake

“…75% to 2% , significantly higher levels o f zinc in plaque are found 10 minu tes after produ ct use. Green et al 29 showed that the same formulation is effective at reducing the levels of plaque acids produ ced in vivo following co n sumptio n o f a snackfood.…”