Efficacy of a triclosan/copolymer dentifrice and a toothbrush with tongue cleaner in the treatment of oral malodor: A monadic clinical trial

Aim: Oral malodor (halitosis) is a widespread condition caused by oral bacteria, particularly sulfur compound-producing species. This study assessed the effect of a triclosan/copolymer-containing dentifrice and a novel toothbrush with attached tongue cleaner on oral malodor and on the bacteria colonizing the dorsal surface of the tongue. Materials and Methods: 14 adult subjects with oral malodor defined as organoleptic scores ≥ 3 (scale 0 5) and mouth air sulfur levels ≥ 250 ppb participated in this study. Subjects were examined at baseline and after 28 days use of the triclosan dentifrice and toothbrush/tongue cleaner for: 1) organoleptic assessment; 2) mouth air sulfur levels; 3) tongue coating; and, 4) dorsal tongue surface microorganisms. Total bacterial numbers were assayed by microscopy. Dot-blot hybridization was used to assess a panel of 20 oral bacteria. Results: After 28 days, all subjects had significantly reduced organoleptic scores and mouth air sulfur levels compared to baseline (p < 0.0001). There was >70% reduction in microbial numbers (p < 0.001) on the dorsal tongue and significant reductions in Enterococcus faecalis (p < 0.003), Neisseria sp. (p < 0.008), Peptostreptococcus micros (p < 0.0007), Prevotella melaninogenica (p < 0.02), Porphyromonas gingivalis (p < 0.0001), Solobacterium moorei (p < 0.04), and Streptococci sp. (p < 0.03). Conclusions: Oral malodor was successfully treated in all subjects following 28 days use of the triclosan/copolymer-containing dentifrice and toothbrush with a tongue cleaner as determined by significant reductions in clinical measures of halitosis and a corresponding reduction in microbiological measures including sulfur compound-producing oral bacteria.