Studies Define Effectiveness of Two Mouthwashes

BUFFALO, N.Y. -- Mouthwashes can do more than make your tongue tingle and keep your breath fresh.

In two different studies, researchers in the University at Buffalo School of Dental Medicine have shown that Listerine brand mouthrinse can help maintain dental implants used to repair damage from periodontal disease, and that a new mouthwash being developed by Oral-B Laboratories is effective in reducing gingivitis, plaque and oral bacteria.

Both studies were presented at the American Association for Dental Research meeting held earlier this month in San Antonio, Texas.

In the Listerine study, 20 adults with at least two implants who had bleeding gums at the implant sites and significant levels of gingivitis and plaque were assigned to rinse twice daily with either the mouthwash or a placebo for three months. Patients were evaluated at the beginning of the study and at one, two and three months. Results showed that those who used the mouthwash had significantly less gingivitis and plaque at all three monthly exams and had less bleeding of the gums at the three-month assessment.

Authors of the study are Sebastian Ciancio, D.D.S., professor and chair of the UB Department of Periodontology; Frank Lauciello, D.D.S., clinical associate professor of restorative dentistry; Othman Shibley, D.D.S., clinical assistant professor of periodontics; Marge Vitello, dental hygenist, and Maryanne Mather, instructional support technician in periodontics.

In the second study, 60 adults were assigned randomly to rinse three times daily for a week with either a new mouthwash containing the antibacterial agent cetylpyridinium chloride (CPC) or a placebo. Before beginnning the intervention, participants were assessed for gingivitis, plaque and the presence of five types of disease-causing organisms, and received a teeth cleaning. Results showed that after a week, those using the new mouthwash experienced significant reductions in gingivitis, plaque and one type of bacterium, compared to those using the placebo.

Researchers on this study were Michael Kazmierczak, D.D.S., postdoctoral fellow in the UB Department of Periodontology; Ciancio; Mather; Michelle Bessinger, research assistant; Alex Ho, oral biology statistician, and Francis Doherty, dental hygenist.

Both studies were supported by grants from the manufacturer.