The effects of an essential oil and an amine fluoride/stannous fluoride mouthrinse on supragingival plaque regrowth

Background: The side effects of chlorhexidine (CHX) have stimulated the search for alternative antiplaque agents such as amine fluoride/stannous fluoride (ASF) and essential oils (EO). The aim of the study was to investigate the plaque-inhibiting effects of two commercially available mouthrinses containing ASF and EO, respectively. Methods: The study was an observer-masked, randomized, 5 x 5 Latin square cross-over design, balanced for carryover effects, involving 15 volunteers in a 4-day plaque regrowth model. A 0.12% CHX rinse and a saline solution served as positive and negative controls, respectively. On day 1, subjects received professional prophylaxis, suspended oral hygiene measures, and commenced rinsing with their allocated rinses. On day 5, subjects were scored for disclosed plaque. The ASF rinse was tested at two dosages: 10 and 20 ml (ASF-10 and ASF-20, respectively). Results: The ASF and EO rinses showed a significant inhibition of plaque regrowth compared to saline (P<0.0001), but the lowest plaque indices were obtained with the CHX product (P<0.01). There were no significant differences among products containing ASF-10, ASF-20, and EO (P>0.05). There was no correlation between the occurrence of side effects and the use of a particular rinse product (P>0.2). Conclusions: ASF and EO mouthrinses exerted effective and similar plaque inhibition. The two dosages tested for ASF did not differ in plaque reduction. These findings, together with those from long-term trials, suggest that ASF and EO rinses may represent effective alternatives to CHX rinse as adjuncts to oral hygiene.