A 6-month clinical trial to study the effects of a cetylpyridinium chloride mouthrinse on gingivitis and plaque.

Purpose: To evaluate the effects of a novel mouthrinse containing 0.07% high bioavailable cetylpyridinium chloride (Crest Pro-Health Rinse) on the development of gingivitis and plaque versus a placebo control over a period of 6 months.

Methods: This was a randomized, 6-month, placebo-controlled, parallel groups, double blind, single center clinical trial. One hundred thirty-nine generally healthy adults with mild-to-moderate gingivitis were enrolled in the study. Subjects were given Modified Gingival Index (MGI), Gingival Bleeding Index (GBI) and Modified Quigley-Hein Plaque Index (MQH) examinations followed by a dental prophylaxis. Subjects were then randomly assigned to either the cetylpyridinium chloride (CPC) rinse or placebo rinse and instructed to begin rinsing twice a day with 20 ml of their assigned mouthrinse for 30 seconds after brushing their teeth. Subjects were assessed for MGI, GBI and MQH scores after 3 and 6 months of product use. Oral hard and soft tissue examinations were also performed at all visits.

Results: 124 subjects were evaluable at Month 3 and 119 at Month 6. After 6 months, subjects rinsing with the CPC rinse showed 15.4% less gingival inflammation, 33.3% less gingival bleeding, and 15.8% less plaque relative to the placebo group. All reductions were highly statistically significantly different (P< 0.01). Results were similar at 3 months. Both treatments were well-tolerated.

Clinical Significance: This study demonstrates that the Crest Pro-Health 0.07% CPC mouthrinse provided significant antiplaque and antigingivitis benefits when used twice daily for 6 months as an adjunct to toothbrushing.