The use of sanguinarine in mouthwashes and toothpaste compared with some other antimicrobial agents

Dental practitioners say that they get information to answer patients' queries on mouthwashes chiefly from their studies in periodontology and from articles in the British Dental Journal. Most practitioners who were asked about this knew of the benefits of Corsodyl (chlorhexidine) and fluoride-containing rinses, but few were aware of the active ingredients and effectiveness of the wide range of mouthwashes now on the market. The majority said they would welcome more information on this. This review was undertaken because there was a move to introduce mouthwashes containing sanguinarine into the UK. Part of its appeal would be that it is a natural therapeutic product, as distinct from a 'synthetic' or 'artificial' chemical. Information collected from scientific publications on sanguinarine, which has been in use in the USA and on the Continent in mouthwashes and toothpastes, is presented here. The consensus is that (a) it has some assets in curbing supragingival plaque, although it is uncertain whether the presence of zinc salts assists this, and (b) it is more effective in a mouthwash than in a toothpaste. It appears to be less effective than chlorhexidine, but no direct comparisons with triclosan preparations have been discovered. Like other mouthwashes, it does not affect subgingival plaque.