In vitro effects of novel toothpaste actives on components of oral malodour

To evaluate the efficacy of a novel toothpaste containing zinc ions and o-cymen-5-ol to reduce volatile sulfur compounds (VSCs) in in vitro models and to elucidate the mode of action for any activity observed.

Three models were employed, a chemical neutralisation model to evaluate the chemical reactivity of toothpaste slurries to VSCs, a biofilm perfusion model to measure activity in an orally-relevant biofilm and a planktonic bacterial model to measure antimicrobial effects.

The models showed that zinc ions were able to react chemically with hydrogen sulfide to remove this odorous component of halitotic breath. This activity was confirmed within a complex biofilm model, with over 90% of hydrogen sulfide removed from perfusate gas by a slurry of the test toothpaste.

This work provides a mode of action for the clinically observed reduction in VSCs seen for up to 12 hours post brushing with this novel toothpaste.