The effect of a cetylpyridinium chloride (CPC) detergent foam compared to a conventional toothpaste on plaque and...

A CPC-detergent formulation in a foam vehicle, was compared with a fluoride toothpaste for its ability to prevent plaque and gingivitis over a period of 12 days. Whilst refraining from all other oral hygiene procedures, the foam or toothpaste was applied to the teeth in fluoride application trays, in a group of 14 volunteers. At days 8 and 12 of this crossover study, the following assessments were made: gingival crevicular fluid; gingival index; bleeding on probing; plaque index; plaque area. Except for plaque area at day 8 of the study, there were no significant differences between the 2 products at either day 8 or day 12. It is therefore concluded that the CPC-detergent formulation, in its present form, does not inhibit plaque and gingivitis more effectively than a conventional fluoride toothpaste.