Routes to chemical plaque control

A logical approach to the prevention of periodontal disease is through excellent supragingival plaque control. Such control is not generally achieved by mechanical oral hygiene procedures alone. Thus, there is a clear rationale for the use of antiplaque agents to augment mechanical means. The principle routes to chemical plaque control are to prevent colonization of the tooth surface, to inhibit the growth of microorganisms, the prevent plaque maturation, to modify plaque biochemistry and to modify plaque ecology to a less pathogenic flora. The most successful approach to date has been to use broad spectrum antimicrobial agents to reduce plaque growth and, in consequence, plaque metabolism. Currently, only the chlorhexidine and Listerine mouthwashes and a toothpaste containing zinc citrate and Triclosan have proven efficacy in controlled clinical trials. Their effectiveness is a result of good oral substantivity as well as broad spectrum antimicrobial activity. All other routes to chemical plaque control ...