A randomised clinical trial to assess control of oral malodour by a novel dentifrice containing 0.1%w/w o-cymen-5-ol, 0.6%w/w zinc chloride.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the ability of a 0.1% w/w o-cymen-5-ol/ 0.6% w/w zinc chloride/ sodium fluoride dentifrice to control oral malodour compared to a sodium fluoride control dentifrice.
DESIGN: Following baseline measurement of oral volatile sulfur compounds (VSCs), the subjects brushed twice daily for 1 week with either the test or control dentifrice. The VSC concentration in breath samples was monitored up to 12 hours post-treatment, by gas chromatography (GC).
RESULTS: 75 subjects were included in the efficacy analysis. Relative to the sodium fluoride control dentifrice group the o-cymen-5-ol/ zinc chloride/ sodium fluoride dentifrice exhibited statistically significant reductions (P<0.0001) in hydrogen sulfide, methyl mercaptan and total measured VSCs immediately and after 1, 2, 3 and 12 (overnight) hours post-treatment.
CONCLUSION: The results of the present clinical study demonstrated that the use of the 0.1% w/w o-cymen-5-ol/ 0.6% w/w zinc chloride/ sodium fluoride dentifrice over a one week period provided a statistically significant benefit in controlling oral malodour for up to 12 hours post-treatment compared to a sodium fluoride control dentifrice.