A
dentifrice based upon the additive anti-plaque effects of
zinc citrate and
Triclosan has been developed and optimised for clinical activity. In 16-h and 4-day plaque growth inhibition studies,
zinc citrate/
Triclosan inhibited plaque accumulation significantly more than either agent alone. The effect on the development of
gingivitis has been demonstrated in a 21-day experimental
gingivitis study. ZCT/
Triclosan reduced the development of gingival
bleeding sites by significantly more than ZCT alone, suggesting that the system has the potential to give a gingival health benefit in a 6-month unsupervised brushing study.
Zinc and
Triclosan employ multiple modes of antimicrobial action and these result in reduced growth, inhibition of
glucose uptake and metabolism and modified virulence of periodontal pathogens. Importantly, the effects of
zinc and
Triclosan are additive and complementary. Oral substantivity is a pre-requisite of any agent for anti-plaque activity in vivo. Pharmacokinetic data demonstrate that approximately 30% of the
zinc and
Triclosan dosed is retained immediately after brushing. Saliva decay curves indicate that
Triclosan is cleared more quickly from the mouth than
zinc, consistent with the physicochemical properties of these agents.
Triclosan is present in plaque for at least 8 h and in the oral mucosa for at least 3 h after brushing.