The effect of cetylpyridinium chloride-containing mouth rinses as adjuncts to toothbrushing on plaque and parameters of gingival inflammation: a systematic review.

OBJECTIVE To review the literature concerning cetylpyridinium chloride (CPC) containing mouth rinses as effective adjuncts to toothbrushing in the prevention of plaque accumulation and gingival inflammation. MATERIALS AND METHODS Medline and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials were searched up to January 2008 to identify appropriate studies. The primary outcome measurements were plaque accumulation and gingivitis. RESULTS Independent screening of titles and abstracts of 3250 papers resulted in eight publications that met the criteria of eligibility. Mean values and standard deviations were obtained by data extraction. Descriptive comparisons are presented for brushing only or brushing and rinsing. Meta-analyses were performed when possible. CONCLUSIONS The existing evidence supports that CPC containing mouth rinses, when used as adjuncts to either supervised or unsupervised oral hygiene, provide a small but significant additional benefit in reducing plaque accumulation and gingival inflammation.