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 .
Comparative efficacy of an antiseptic mouthrinse and an antiplaque/antigingivitis dentifrice. A six-month clinical trial.
BACKGROUND The efficacy of an essential oil-containing antiseptic mouthrinse ( Listerine Antiseptic , Pfizer ) and an antiplaque/antigingivitis dentifrice ( Colgate Total , Colgate-Palmolive ) has been demonstrated in numerous double-blind clinical studies . This study was conducted to determine their comparative efficacy . METHODS Three hundred sixteen subjects with mild-to-moderate gingival inflammation and plaque received a dental prophylaxis and began their r and omly assigned brushing and rinsing regimen in an unsupervised setting . Subjects brushed for one minute and rinsed with 20 milliliters for 30 seconds twice daily for six months . The three groups were L ( control toothpaste/Listerine rinse ) , T ( Colgate Total toothpaste/control rinse ) and P ( control toothpaste/control rinse ) . RESULTS Subjects in the L and T groups demonstrated statistically significantly lower ( P < .001 ) Modified Gingival Index , or MGI ; Bleeding Index , or BI ; and Plaque Index , or PI , at both three and six months than subjects in the P group . The magnitude of reduction for the L group was 22.9 percent , 70 percent and 56.1 percent , respectively , and for the T group , 20.8 percent , 58 percent and 22.1 percent , respectively . Subjects in the L group were not different from subjects in the T group in regard to visual signs of gingivitis ( MGI ) , but were more effective ( P < .001 ) than subjects in the T group in experiencing reduced BI and PI . No product-related adverse events were reported . CONCLUSION Although the Listerine Antiseptic and Colgate Total antiplaque/antigingivitis products produced similar , clinical ly significant reductions in gingivitis ( as measured by MGI and BI ) , Listerine , when used in conjunction with a fluoride dentifrice and usual oral hygiene , provided a greater benefit in reducing plaque . CLINICAL IMPLICATION S When considering an antiplaque/antigingivitis product to recommend to patients , clinicians should consider Listerine Antiseptic , in conjunction with usual oral hygiene , if more rigorous plaque control is desired
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 .