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 upon plaque formation and gingivitis of a triclosan/copolymer/fluoride dentifrice: a 6-month clinical study.
A total of 159 adult male and female subjects between 18 and 63 years of age , were entered into a 6-month , double-blind clinical study to assess the effects of a dentifrice containing 0.3 % triclosan and 2 % of a copolymer of methoxyethylene and maleic acid on supragingival plaque formation and gingivitis , as compared to a placebo dentifrice . Both the triclosan and placebo dentifrices contained 0.243 % sodium fluoride in a silica base . The subjects had to demonstrate at least mild gingivitis ( modified Loe-Silness score > or = 1.0 ) , be free of advanced periodontal disease , have a modified Quigley-Hein Plaque Index score of at least 1.5 and have a minimum of 20 natural , uncrowned teeth . The subjects were stratified into two balanced groups according to baseline plaque and gingivitis scores . At zero time or baseline , all subjects received a complete and thorough oral prophylaxis and were assigned to the use of either the placebo dentifrice or the triclosan/copolymer dentifrice for the next 6 months . Subjects were evaluated for gingivitis and supragingival plaque formation after 3 and 6 months product use . After 3 months , when compared to the placebo dentifrice , the triclosan/copolymer dentifrice provided the following statistically significant reductions ( at 99 % confidence levels ) : ( 1 ) a 10.0 % reduction in supragingival plaque formation ; ( 2 ) a 20.8 % reduction in plaque formation on tooth surfaces with highest baseline plaque scores ; ( 3 ) a 21.9 % reduction in gingivitis , and ( 4 ) 30.5 % less sites with severe gingivitis , i.e. gingival bleeding . ( ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS
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 .