Efficacy of antiplaque mouthwashes: a five-day clinical trial

The aim of this study was to evaluate and compare the efficacy of antiplaque mouthwashes. Plaque levels were determined by applying a plaque-disclosing solution using the Turesky et al modification of the Quigley Hein plaque index. The control group (n = 6) brushed twice per day with fluoride toothpaste for one minute and rinsed with water, while the study groups (n = 6) brushed once per day with fluoride toothpaste for one minute, followed by rinsing with 5.0 mL of mouthwash diluted with 10.0 mL of water for 30 seconds. The control group brushed and rinsed with water twice per day. The results indicated that cetylpyridinium chloride in combination with sodium fluoride offered maximum plaque inhibition, followed by chlorhexidine gluconate and sodium monofluorophosphate, while plaque levels increased in the control group and with the combination of chlorhexidine gluconate and sodium fluoride. The only antiplaque agents to demonstrate a statistically significant difference from the control were cetylpyridinium chloride in combination with sodium fluoride, and chlorhexidine gluconate. Increasing the fluoride concentration had no impact on antiplaque activity.