OPTIMAL DOSAGE OF CHLORHEXIDINE ACETATE IN CHEWING GUM

Abstract In a previous study, 800 mg pieces of sorbitol‐flavored gum, each piece containing 5 mg chlorhexidine (CHX) acetate, when chewed 2 at the time 5 × daily, were found to have an excellent plaque growth inhibiting effect. The aim of Trial 1 of the present study was to assess whether chewing only 2 × daily, 2 pieces of the same concentration CHX gum for about 10 min would be as effective. 6 dental students participated in the 3 × randomly crossed over double‐blind clinical trial. During the 5‐day chewing periods, no other oral hygiene measures were allowed. The Hibitane Dental (HD) rinse was used as a positive and the gum base containing neither CHX nor the sweetening agent as a negative control. At the end of each test period, recordings were made for the plaque index (P11), the plaque wet weight (PWW) and the relative area of plaque covered tooth surface (plaque area %). Chewing of CHX gum twice daily inhibited plaque growth as effectively as the HD rinse. The aim of Trial 2 was to assess the antiplaque effect of lower concentration CHX gums with, hopefully, a less unpleasant taste. For this trial, 8 dental students were recruited to chew 2 × daily during 6‐day periods two 800 mg pieces of sorbitol‐flavored gum, each piece now containing either 5 mg, 4 mg or 3 mg CHX acetate. The effect of these dosages did not differ from the effect of the HD rinse. Chewing 2 × daily for 6 days only one 800 mg piece of gum containing 5 mg CHX acetate resulted in higher PIT and plaque area % scores than use of HD rinses 2 x daily. The subjective evaluation by the test subjects revealed an inverse correlation between effect and taste of the CHX products. Copyright © 1990, Wiley Blackwell. All rights reserved