The studies in this systematic review provide strong evidence of the antiplaque , antigingivitis effects of multiple agents .
BACKGROUND AND METHODS The author conducted a systematic review of the literature to evaluate the efficacy of  antigingivitis and antiplaque products  in six-month trials .
Effect of toothpaste rinses compared with chlorhexidine on plaque formation during a 4-day period.
Abstract Evidence suggests that brushing with a toothpaste may slow plaque reformation over 24 h. This study measured the effect of toothpaste alone on plaque regrowth over a 96 h period and compared the effect with water and the known antiplaque agent chlorhexidine . At 9 a.m. at the beginning of 7,4-day no oral hygiene periods , 10 volunteers were scaled and polished . Al 5 p.m. subjects brushed their own teeth with water until plaque free . Each subject rinsed for I min with 10 ml of a r and omly allocated rinse . Rinsing was repeated at 10 a.m. and 10 p.m. on subsequent days . The rinses were water , chlorhexidine 0.2 % or 3 g/10 ml slurries of toothpastes containing ( 1 ) monofluorophosphate(MFP ) , ( 2 ) monofluorophosphate + sodium fluoride ( MFP+NaF ) ( 3 ) monofluorophosphate + zinc citrate ( MFP+ZCT ) ( 4 ) stannous fluoride ( SnF2 ) ( 5 ) sodium fluoride ( NaF ) . At 16 , 24 , 48 and 72 h plaque on the buccal surface of the upper and lower premolars , canines and incisors was scored by the Gingival Margin Plaque Index ( GMPI ) and gram films of plaque sample s made . At 96 h plaque was recorded diagraromatically and areas of coverage measured visually ( Debris Index ) and by planimetry . Progressive plaque formation to a Gingival Margin Plaque Index of 100 % at 72 h was observed for toothpaste and water rinses . For chlorhexidine the Gingival Margin Plaque Index at 72 h was 6 % , At 96 h plaque areas were significantly less with toothpaste rinses compared with water . Chlorhexidine very significantly reduced plaque areas compared with toothpaste and water . The bacteriological assessment of smears revealed essentially similar plaque development during toothpaste and water rinses and was consistent with previous reports . However , with chlorhexidine the densities of organisms in the smears were greatly reduced . It was concluded that the small effect of toothpaste rinses on plaque accumulation compared with chlorhexidine would not alone represent a true antiplaque effect result ing in therapeutic benefit
The studies in this systematic review provide strong evidence of the antiplaque , antigingivitis effects of multiple agents .
BACKGROUND AND METHODS The author conducted a systematic review of the literature to evaluate the efficacy of  antigingivitis and antiplaque products  in six-month trials .