The Effect of Toothpaste Containing Potassium Nitrate, Triclosan, Zinc Citrate, Calcium Sodium Phosphosilicate on Gingival Health, Plaque Formation and Dental Hypersensitivity

Objective: Tooth hypersensitivity often starts in early adulthood because of gum recession and loss of the cementum covering dentin. The purpose of this study was to compare the effect of toothpaste,1 containing triclosan, potassium nitrate, zinc citrate,2 triclosan, potassium nitrate,3 calcium sodium phosphosilicate (novamin) on gingival health, plaque formation and dentin hypersensitivity in a 1, 2 and 4 weeks study. Materials and methods: Sixty healthy volunteers, who had minimum of 20 natural permanent teeth with no probing depth >4 mm and at least one sensitive toot received a dental prophylaxis and instruction in brushing technique. After a 1, 2, and 4 weeks pre experimental phase, baseline gingival index, plaque index, visual analog scales (VAS) were assessed. The subjects were then randomly given one of the following three toothpaste: (A) potassium nitrate, triclosan, zinc citrate, (B) potassium nitrate, triclosan and (C) novamin. Results: The result of the study demonstrated that novamin, potassium nitrate and triclosan with zinc citrate dentifrices has the ability to reduce dental sensitivity and improved gingival health. Novamin was superior in terms of dentinal hypersensitivity. Conclusion: Novamin may be used for treatment for hypersensitivity.