Reduction in bacteremia after brushing with a triclosan/copolymer dentifrice—A randomized clinical study

Aim: The aims of this study were to; 1) test susceptibility to bacteremia in subjects with moderate gingivitis, and 2) compare the effects of brushing with a fluoride toothpaste (control) as compared to a triclosan/copolymer toothpaste (test) on those susceptible to repeated bacteremia. Materials and Methods: One hundred and seven adult subjects were tested for repeated bacteremia after eating a hard apple. Twenty-nine bacteremia positive subjects were enrolled in a double-blind cross-over study designed to analyse the effects of a test toothpaste. After random toothpaste assignment, subjects brushed for 21 days. Following a wash-out period, subjects completed the study with the alternate toothpaste. Statistical analysis compared bacteremia between groups by analysis of covariance (ANCOVA). Results: Twenty-six adult subjects completed the cross-over study. No statistically significant differences for bacteremia were seen at baseline. Mean bacterial counts at baseline and post-treatment visits were 45.5 and 10.8 counts versus 48.5 and 38.0 counts, respectively (test vs. control group; significant at p <.05). Significant reductions in blood borne bacteria were seen in the test versus control groups in both cultural and DNA data (p <.05). Conclusions: Thirty percentage of subjects showed repeated bacteremia. Brushing with a triclosan/copolymer dentifrice demonstrated significant reductions in bacteremia as compared to the control toothpaste.