Triclosan and sodium lauryl sulphate mouthrinses

Abstract

Toothpastes have been shown to exert some plaque inhibitory effects probably due to the action of detergents such as sodium lauryl sulphate (SLS). Recently the antimicrobial, triclosan, has been added to experimental and commercial toothpaste products to enhance activity against plaque. There is, however, little information as to the plaque inhibitory effects alone of ingredients such as SLS and triclosan. This investigation compared the effects on 4‐day plaque regrowth of a 1% SLS, 0.2% triclosan and 0.2% chlorhexidine rinse with a 0.9% saline rinse. The study was a single blind, latin square, four‐period crossover design, balanced for residual effects and employing 16 healthy dentate volunteers. During each period, normal oral hygiene ceased and plaque regrowth from a zero baseline was measured by score and area after 2 × daily rinses with 10 ml volumes of each rinse. Washout was a minimum of 60 h. Plaque scores and areas were significantly lower with chlorhexidine than the other preparations and significantly higher with saline. There were no significant differences between SLS and triclosan. The results were essentially consistent with the similar substantivity of SLS and triclosan demonstrated from the salivary bacterial count investigation. Taste acceptability may, however, explain the small reverse trends noted between the two studies. It is concluded that both SLS and triclosan would individually confer plaque inhibitory properties to toothpaste formulations. However, when combined in a single formulation, their effects may not be additive.