Plaque inhibition by hexetidine and zinc

Rinsing experiments with mouthwashes containing zinc ions, hexetidine and a combination of hexetidine and zinc ions were performed with a group of 10 volunteers. The amount of plaque was assessed after rinsing with the test solutions for 4 days during which mechanical toothcleaning was discontinued. Significantly improved inhibition was observed by the combination of hexetidine and zinc ions compared with the two agents used separately. In vitro bacteriological tests showed that hexetidine and zinc ions had a synergistic inhibitory effect on the growth of Streptococcus mutans.