J Clin Dent. 2000 ; 11(2): 53-9.

A comparative pilot study of the effects of a dentifrice containing green tea bioflavonoids, sanguinarine or triclosan on oral bacterial biofilm formation.

Wolinsky LE, Cuomo J, Quesada K, Bato T, Camargo PM.

Division of Oral Biology and Medicine, UCLA School of Dentistry, Los Angeles, CA, USA. wolinsky@ucla.edu

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of a green tea bioflavonoid/zinc ascorbate-containing dentifrice (Natural Antioxidant Toothpaste) on bacterial plaque biofilm accumulation. Plaque biofilms were formed and observed on saliva-conditioned synthetic hydroxyapatite disks (HA) over 4 days. Two test treatments were performed daily over a 4-day experimental period for a total of 8 treatments. Four test dentifrices were evaluated: a 0.1% bioflavonoid/0.2% zinc ascorbate; a non-active control test dentifrice; a 0.075% sanguinarine/2.0% zinc chloride dentifrice; and a 0.3% triclosan dentifrice. The repeated treatment of the HA with the green tea bioflavonoid/zinc ascorbate, the sanguinarine/zinc chloride, or the triclosan dentifrice resulted in significant reductions in total viable plaque biomass when compared to a non-active placebo control dentifrice.