Reduction of dental plaque formation by chlorhexidine dihydrochloride lozenges

The effect of chlorhexidine dihydrochloride (chlorhex HCl) in lozenges on plaque growth was assessed on 21 subjects with fresh plaque of 7 days duration. The lozenges, which contained 5 mg chlorhex HCl, were sucked three times daily after meals, for 2 weeks. The study was a single-blind crossover. Placebo lozenges had all the ingredients except chlorhex HCl. These were used as a control. Results indicated that lozenges containing chlorhex HCl were a potent plaque inhibitor. The mean plaque score was reduced by 62.8% from an initial mean plaque score (DO) of 2.38 +/- 0.48 to (D7) 0.89 +/- 0.26 (p less than 0.0001), after 1 wk of usage. A further reduction to plaque score (D14) of 0.56 +/- 0.27 (p less than 0.0001) was recorded by the end of the 2nd wk. Usage of the placebo during the same time period did not show significant differences in the plaque score (DO = 2.38; D7 = 2.33; D14 = 2.42). Inhibition of plaque formation to the 1104 test surfaces revealed a total elimination of the higher levels of plaque (scores 4 and 5), a considerable reduction of the middle levels (scores 2 and 3) and a significant increase (44.7%) of low level plaque (score 1). Total elimination of plaque (score 0) was observed in 50.3% of the test group surfaces. Lozenges containing 5 mg chlorhexidine dihydrochloride, taken three times daily, were an efficient, comfortable and potent agent for reducing and inhibiting plaque formation. These lozenges are a more convenient alternative to chlorhexidine mouthrinses and may prove to be superior to these.