A Proof-of-principle Clinical Study Investigating the Efficacy of an Experimental Dentifrice Containing Sodium Bicarbonate and Sodium Hyaluronate on Gingivitis

The aim of this study is to develop a daily use toothpaste containing sodium bicarbonate, sodium hyaluronate and sodium fluoride with the intention of providing improved/ fast gum healing. This Proof-of-Principle study will investigate the efficacy of an experimental dentifrice compared to a regular fluoride dentifrice, and also whether this provides any additional benefit in reducing gingival inflammation/ bleeding compared with a 67% w/w sodium bicarbonate/ 0.221% w/w sodium fluoride containing toothpaste.

This study will be a single-center, examiner-blind, randomized, stratified, three-treatment, parallel group study in healthy adult volunteers with mild to moderate gingivitis. There will be six visits to the study site: Screening, Baseline, Day 3 and Weeks 1, 2 and 6. Gingivitis will be assessed using a Modified Gingival Index (MGI) and a Bleeding Index (BI). Plaque will be assessed by the Turesky modification of the Quigley Hein (TPI). All evaluable teeth (in relation to the inclusion/ exclusion general dentition criteria) will be assessed.

The dosage regimen of twice daily treatment (morning and evening) for the washout dentifrice and study products will be the same for all participants and is based on widely recommended oral hygiene practice/typical consumer habit. Study participants will be instructed to brush for at least 1 timed minute with their assigned study dentifrice on each brushing occasion. After 6 weeks (Day 42+/-3 days) twice daily treatment, each participant should complete between approximately 84-90 treatment applications. During the washout period for this study (minimum 14 days/ maximum 28 days), eligible participants will use a marketed, regular fluoride toothpaste and toothbrush (as provided).

Eligibility Criteria:
Inclusion Criteria-

* Participant provision of a signed and dated informed consent document indicating that the participant has been informed of all pertinent aspects of the study before any assessment is performed.
* Participant who is willing and able to comply with scheduled visits, treatment plan, and other study procedures.
* Participant in good general and mental health with, in the opinion of the investigator or medically qualified designee, no clinically significant/relevant abnormalities in medical history or upon oral examination, or condition, that would impact the participant's safety, wellbeing or the outcome of the study, if they were to participate in the study, or affect the individual's ability to understand and follow study procedures and requirements.
* Female participant of childbearing potential must have negative pregnancy test results at screening and baseline.
* Female participant of childbearing potential and at risk for pregnancy must agree to use a highly effective method of contraception throughout the study and for 5 days after the last dose of assigned treatment. A female participant who is of childbearing potential must agree to use a highly effective method of contraception consistently and correctly for the duration of the active study period and for at least 5 days after the last dose of investigational product..

At Screening (Visit 1):

1. Participant with at least 20 natural, permanent teeth.
2. Participant with at least 40 evaluable surfaces for MGI, BI and TPI. An evaluable surface is defined as having 2/3rds of the natural tooth surface gradable for the selected clinical indices. The following should not be included in the evaluable surface count- third molars; fully crowned/extensively restored, grossly carious, orthodontically banded/bonded or abutment teeth; surfaces with calculus deposits which, in the opinion of the clinical examiner, would interfere with the baseline assessments of the selected clinical indices.
3. Participant with generalized mild- moderate plaque-induced gingivitis, in the opinion of the clinical examiner, as confirmed by a gross visual examination at the Screening Visit.

At Baseline - Prior to Dental Prophylaxis (Visit 2):

1. Participant with ongoing hard tissue eligibility and, in the opinion of the clinical examiner, at least 40 evaluable surfaces.
2. Participant with mean whole mouth MGI between 1.75 and 2.30.
3. Participant with mean whole mouth TPI score ≥1.5.
4. Participant with a minimum of 20 bleeding sites.

   Exclusion Criteria-
   * Participant who is an employee of the investigational site, either directly involved in the conduct of the study or a member of their immediate family; or an employee of the investigational site otherwise supervised by the investigator; or, a GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare (GSKCH) employee directly involved in the conduct of the study or a member of their immediate family.
   * Participant who has participated in other studies (including non-medicinal studies) involving investigational product(s) within 30 days prior to study entry and/or during study participation.
   * Participant with, in the opinion of the investigator or medically qualified designee, an acute or chronic medical or psychiatric condition or laboratory abnormality that may increase the risk associated with study participation or investigational product administration or may interfere with the interpretation of study results and, in the judgment of the investigator or medically qualified designee would make the participant inappropriate for entry into this study.
   * Participant with any other clinical serious or unstable conditions (e.g. cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, liver disorders and kidney disorders) which may affect study outcomes and/ or participant safety.
   * Participant who is a pregnant female (including a woman who has a positive urine pregnancy test; pregnancy testing will be carried out for all female participants who are of childbearing potential) or is intending to become pregnant over the duration of the study.
   * Participant who is a breastfeeding female.
   * Participant with known or suspected intolerance or hypersensitivity to the study materials (or closely related compounds) or any of their stated ingredients.
   * Participant unwilling or unable to comply with the Lifestyle Considerations described below:

     1. Dental Product/Treatment and Oral Hygiene Restrictions From Screening (Visit 1) to the Participant's Last Study Visit • Participants should not use any other oral care products (e.g. dentifrices, toothbrushes, mouthrinses) other than those provided during the study.

        • Participants should not carry out any interproximal dental cleaning. Use of dental floss, toothpicks, waterpicks or inter-dental brushes is prohibited (except for the removal of impacted food with non-antimicrobial products only).

        • Participants should delay any non-emergency dental treatment until after study completion (including dental prophylaxis).

        Before Clinical Efficacy Assessment Visits: Baseline (Visit 2) to Last Study Visit • Participants should refrain from oral hygiene procedures for 12 hours ((+6hr, -2hr) before their visit and attend the study site with overnight plaque growth.
     2. Dietary and Smoking Restrictions From Screening (Visit 1) to the Participant's Last Study Visit • Participants should not chew gum or consume any confectionery containing xylitol (e.g. mints).

        * Participants must abstain from smoking/ use of tobacco products (e.g. chewing tobacco, gutkha, pan containing tobacco, nicotine-based e-cigarettes).

   Before Clinical Efficacy Assessment Visits: Baseline (Visit 2) to Last Study Visit

   • Participants must abstain from all food and drink (except water) for at least 4hrs prior to their scheduled assessment visits and until all assessments are complete during visit days. Water is permitted until 1 hour prior to their scheduled study visits.

   - Participant who is a current smoker or an ex- smoker who stopped within 6 months of Screening.

   - Participant who currently uses smokeless forms of tobacco (e.g. chewing tobacco, gutkha, pan containing tobacco, nicotine-based e-cigarettes).

   - Participant with diagnosed xerostomia or taking any medication that in the view of the investigator causes xerostomia.

   - Participant with a medical condition which may directly influence gingival bleeding.
   * Participant with a bleeding disorder that may affect study outcomes and/ or participant safety.
   * Recent history (within the last year) of alcohol or other substance abuse.
   * Participant with a severe oral condition (e.g. acute necrotizing ulcerative gingivitis or oral or peri-oral ulceration including herpetic lesions) that would, in the opinion of the investigator, compromise study outcomes or the oral health of the participant/ examiner if they were to participate in the study.
   * Presence of a tongue or lip piercing, or any other oral feature that could interfere with the usage of a toothbrush.
   * Medication Exclusions

   At Screening (Visit 1):

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1. Participant currently taking antibiotics or requiring antibiotic use prior to dental prophylaxis or other dental procedures.
2. Participant currently taking an anti-inflammatory medication which, in the opinion of the Investigator, could affect gingival condition.
3. Participant currently taking a systemic medication (e.g. anti-inflammatory, anti-coagulant, immunosuppressants) or traditional/ herbal remedy which, in the opinion of the Investigator, could affect plaque/ gingival condition (e.g. ibuprofen, aspirin, warfarin, cyclosporin, phenytoin, calcium channel blockers).

   - Medication exclusions

   At Baseline (Visit 2):

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1. Participant who has taken (in the previous 14 days), any antibiotics.
2. Participant who has taken (in the previous 14 days) a systemic medication (e.g. antiinflammatory, anti-coagulant, immunosuppressants) or traditional/ herbal remedy which, in the opinion of the Investigator, could affect plaque/ gingival condition (e.g. ibuprofen, aspirin, warfarin, cyclosporin, phenytoin, calcium channel blockers).
3. Participant who has used an antibacterial dentifrice or mouthwash (e.g. chlorhexidine) or any oral care product that in the view of the investigator could interfere with plaque formation or measures of gingivitis, in the period between Screening and the Baseline

   - Periodontal Exclusions

a. Participant with signs of active periodontitis. b. Participant with gingivitis which, in the opinion of the investigator, is not expected to respond to treatment with an over-the-counter dentifrice.

c. Participant who is receiving or has received treatment for periodontal disease (including surgery) within 12 months of Screening.

* Dental Exclusions

  1. Participant with active caries that could, in the opinion of the investigator, compromise study outcomes or the oral health of the participant if they were to participate in the study.
  2. Participant with dentures (partial or full).
  3. Participant with an orthodontic appliance (bands, appliances or fixed/ removable retainers).
  4. Participant who has received orthodontic therapy within 12 months of Screening.
  5. Participant with numerous restorations in a poor state of repair.
  6. Participant with any dental condition (e.g. overcrowding) that could, in the opinion of the investigator, compromise study outcomes or the oral health of the participant if they were to participate in the study.
  7. Participant who has had dental prophylaxis within 12 weeks of Screening.
  8. Participant who has had teeth bleaching within 12 weeks of Screening.
  9. Participant with high levels of extrinsic stain or calculus deposits that might interfere with plaque assessments.
* Participant who has previously been enrolled in this study.
* Participant who, in the opinion of the investigator or medically qualified designee, should not participate in the study.