Objectives: To assess the ability of 0.1%w/w o-cymen-5-ol/ 0.6%w/w zinc chloride dentifrice to maintain gingival health compared to a sodium fluoride control dentifrice. Design: Following a baseline examination, subjects went through a regimen to bring them to a high level of gingival health. This included a professional prophylaxis supported by oral hygiene instruction prior to commencing study treatment. Subjects brushed twice daily for 12 weeks with either the test or control dentifrice. Examinations for gingival inflammation (MGI), bleeding and plaque were performed after 6 and 12 weeks. Results: 224 subjects were included in the efficacy analysis. Relative to the sodium fluoride/ silica control dentifrice group the o-cymen-5-ol/ zinc chloride dentifrice exhibited statistically significant reductions (p < 0.0001) in MGI, bleeding and plaque of 12.3%, 18.5% and 13.2% respectively after six weeks and 38.1%, 37.8% and 24.2% after 12 weeks. Conclusion: The results of the present clinical study demonstrate that the use of the 0.1%w/w o-cymen-5-ol/ 0.6%w/w zinc chloride dentifrice over a 12 week period provides a statistically significant benefit in maintaining gingival health compared to a sodium fluoride control dentifrice.
