Chemical control of plaque.

Plaque is generally accepted as the prime agent in the aetiology of gingivitis and caries. However, it has been estimated that the oral microbial load must be reduced by some 99.9% in order to produce a significant effect on plaque formation--and mechanical tooth cleaning alone is unlikely to achieve this. Considerable effort has therefore been put into researching chemical means of controlling plaque. In the final article of this eight-part series, the author reviews the efficacy and modes of action of the chemical agents currently available.