Antimicrobial Control of Bacterial Plaque and Calculus and the Effects of these Agents on Oral Flora

Abstract

An in vivo clinical program investigated the relationship among oral microorganisms, bacterial plaque, and calculus formation. Benzethonium chloride, cetylpyridinium chloride, and Vancomycin provided a moderate reduction in bacterial plaque accumulation (30 to 35%). Hexachlorophene was relatively ineffective. One antibiotic, CC 10232, consistently furnished substantial reductions in plaque formation (70 to 77%) and calculus formation (75%). Only Vancomycin significantly reduced the gram-positive population. None of the antimicrobial agents caused changes in the staphylococcal or yeast populations.