Dental News - Triclosan/copolymer stronger than fluoride-only

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Triclosan/copolymer stronger than fluoride-only

DTI/Photo Mau Horng
Claudia Salwiczek, DTI

Claudia Salwiczek, DTI

Wed. 14 April 2010

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CHICAGO, USA/LEIPZIG, Germany: Toothpastes containing triclosan/copolymer are better than regular fluoride toothpastes at killing oral bacteria, according to a study published in the January/February 2010 issue of General Dentistry.

"Triclosan added to toothpaste has been shown in a number of clinical studies to inhibit plaque and gingivitis," said Dr. Joseph J. Zambon, one of the study’s authors and a distinguished teaching professor at the University at Buffalo School of Dental Medicine. “The copolymer helps to keep triclosan in your mouth for a longer period of time, which boosts its ability to inhibit oral bacteria.”

The triclosan/copolymer toothpaste and two fluoride toothpastes were tested on several different kinds of lab-grown bacteria that mimic germs found in the mouth. The tests were also performed on bacteria taken from the mouths of human volunteers.

“Repetitive testing shows that toothpaste with triclosan/copolymer outperformed the fluoride-only toothpastes when it came to inhibiting the growth of bacteria,” Zambon said.

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