Comparative Efficacy of Floss and Essential Oil/CPC+Zn Mouthwashes in Reducing Dental Plaque and Gingivitis

Launched by COLGATE PALMOLIVE · Jun 17, 2025

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is studying how well different methods work to reduce dental plaque (the sticky film on your teeth) and gingivitis (gum inflammation). It compares using traditional floss with three types of mouthwashes: one with essential oils containing alcohol, one with essential oils but no alcohol, and one alcohol-free mouthwash that has special ingredients called CPC and zinc. The goal is to find out which option helps keep your teeth and gums healthier.

Adults who are generally healthy, at least 18 years old, and have mild to moderate plaque and gum bleeding may be eligible to join. Participants need to have at least 20 natural teeth and no serious gum disease or other dental problems. If you take part, you’ll follow the study’s instructions and visit the clinic for check-ups, where the researchers will measure how much plaque and gum inflammation you have before and after using floss or one of the mouthwashes. The study is not yet recruiting, but it’s important to know that people who smoke, have certain health conditions, or are pregnant won’t be able to join. This study could help provide clearer advice on the best way to keep your gums healthy.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • Male or female volunteers at least 18 years of age and in general good health.
• • Willing and able to understand and sign the informed consent form.
• • Whole mouth mean MGI ≥1.95, whole mouth mean TPI≥1.95, and ≥10% bleeding sites
• • Be willing to conform to the study protocol and procedures.
• • No sites with probing depth \>4 mm.
• • Minimum of 20 natural teeth with scorable facial and lingual surfaces
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • Medical condition which requires premedication prior to dental visits/procedure.
• • Known history of allergy to personal care/consumer products or their ingredients, relevant to any ingredients in the test products as determined by the study examiner.
• • Active disease of the hard oral tissues.
• • Significant oral soft tissue pathology, excluding plaque-induced gingivitis.
• • Moderate to severe periodontitis (stages II-IV) per the EFP S3 guidelines.
• • Subjects with fixed or removable orthodontic appliances or removable partial dentures.
• • Dental prophylaxis within 30 days prior to study start.
• • Use of antibiotics, antimicrobial drugs, anti-inflammatory drugs, or anticoagulant therapies within 30 days prior to study start.
• • Use of chemotherapeutic oral care products within two weeks prior to study start.
• • Participation in any other clinical study within 30 days prior to enrollment into this study.
• • Subjects who must receive dental treatment during the study dates.
• • Immunocompromised individuals (HIV, AIDS, immunosuppressive drug therapy).
• • Use of smokeless tobacco, vaping, or e-cigarettes or suspected substance abuse.
• • Current smokers (if former smoker, should have stopped at least 1 month prior to Visit 1)
• • Pregnant or lactating subjects, or subjects planning to become pregnant during the course of the study.
• • Medical condition which prohibits not eating/drinking or chewing gum for four (4) hours prior to your scheduled visits;
• • Subjects who have an infectious disease and/or other blood borne diseases (Hepatitis series, HIV, tuberculosis).