Effect of a triclosan-containing toothpaste supplemented with 10% xylitol on mutans streptococci in saliva and dental plaque. A 6-month clinical study

The aim of the present investigation was to evaluate the effect of the combination of triclosan and xylitol in toothpaste on mutans streptococci (MS) in saliva and dental plaque. 155 individuals with >10(5) MS/ml saliva were included in a 6-month double-blind clinical study. They were divided into three groups (n = 51-52) balanced according to their MS counts at baseline. Each group used one of the following types of dentifrice: (1) Colgate Total with the addition of 10% xylitol (Total-Xylitol), (2) Colgate Total and (3) Colgate Total without triclosan and without xylitol. Whole saliva and pooled plaque samples were obtained after 2, 4 and 6 months. When comparing the MS counts within the groups for saliva and plaque samples, Total-Xylitol showed significant reduction at all three sampling occasions (p < 0.001). Mean reduction at the 6-month sample for saliva was 0.81/ml and for plaque 0.89 per sample (log values). ANOVA revealed significant differences between Total-Xylitol and the two other products at 6 months for MS in saliva and dental plaque. The conclusion from this 6- month study is that the addition of 10% xylitol to a triclosan-containing dentifrice reduces the number of MS in saliva and dental plaque.