Reduction of dental plaque formation by chlorhexidine dihydrochloride lozenges

The effect of chlorhexidine dihydrochloride (chlorhex HCl) in lozenges on plaque growth was assessed on 21 subjects with fresh plaque of 7 days duration. The lozenges, which contained 5 mg chlorhex HCl, were sucked three times daily after meals, for 2 weeks. The study was a single‐blind crossover. Placebo lozenges had all the ingredients except chlorhex HCl, These were used as a control. Results indicated that lozenges containing chlorhex HCl were a potent plaque inhibitor. The mean plaque score was reduced by 62.8% from an initial mean plaque score (DO) of 2.38 ± 0.48 to (D7) 0.89 ± 0.26 (p < 0.0001), after 1 wk of usage. A further reduction to plaque score (DI4) of 0.56 ± 0.27 (p < 0.0001) was recorded by theend of the 2nd wk. Usage of the placebo during the same time period did not show significant differences in the plaque score (DO=2.38; D7=2.33; D14=2.42). Inhibition of plaque formation to the 1104 test surfaces revealed a total elimination of the higher levels of plaque (scores 4 and 5), a considerable reduction of the middle levels (scores 2 and 3) and a significant increase (44.7%) of low level plaque (score 1). Total elimination of plaque (score 0) was observed in 50.3% of the test group surfaces. Lozenges containing 5 mg chlorhexidine dihydrochloride, taken three times daily, were an efficient, comfortable and potent agent for reducing and inhibiting plaque formation. These lozenges are a more convenient alternative to chlorhexidine moulhrinses and may prove to be superior to these.