Cetylpyridinium chloride (CPC)
Place in Therapy
Place in Therapy
Cetylpyridinium chloride (CPC) is available as an ingredient in a number of over-the-counter mouth rinses in varying concentrations and formulations. There is some evidence supporting twice daily usage in adjunct to toothbrushing for the prevention and reduction of plaque accumulation and gingivitis (1)(2)(3). Individual trials testing the efficacy of mouth rinses containing high bioavailable CPC in alcohol-free formulations show evidence of antiplaque and antigingivitis properties (1)(2). In direct head-to-head comparison with a mouth rinse containing essential oils, 0.07% CPC mouth rinses show comparable antiplaque and antigingivitis results (2). However, meta-analyses reviewing literature behind CPC-containing mouth rinses deem the evidence inconclusive due to heterogeneity of product formulations and study results (4)(5). CPC mouth rinses are thus not generally favoured over essential oils from an efficacy standpoint.
The side effects of using CPC-containing mouth rinses are mild, including tooth and tongue staining and oral irritation. Its incorporation into oral hygiene routine is reasonable and is safe in the general population, and especially in populations desiring non-alcohol formulations (4). It is recommended for use adults and children at 6 years and above (6).
References:
1. Mankodi S, Bauroth K, Witt JJ et al. A 6-month clinical trial to study the effects of cetylpyridinium chloride mouthrinse on gingivitis and plaque. Am J Dent. 2005. 18; 9A-14A.
2. Albert-Kiszely A, Pjetursson BE, Salvi GE, et al. Comparison of the effects of cetylpyridinium chloride with an essential oil mouth rinse on dental plaque and gingivitis - a six-month randomized controlled clinical trial. Journal of Clinical Peridontology 2007; 34: 658-667.
3. Haps S, Slot DE, Berchier CE, Van der Weijden GA. The effect of cetylpyridinium chloride-containing mouth rinses as adjuncts to toothbrushing on plaque and parameters of gingival inflammation: a systemic review. International Journal of Dental Hygiene. 2008; 6(4):290-303.
4. Osso D, Kanani N. Antiseptic mouth rinses: an update on comparative effectiveness, risks and recommendations. Journal of Dental Hygiene 2013; 87(1): 10-8.
5. Gunsolley JC. A meta-analysis of six-month studies of antiplaque and antigingivitis agents. The Journal of the American Dental Association 2006; 137(12):1649-57.
6. Lexi-Comp Inc. (2013). Retrieved 2013, from Lexi-Comp Online: http://online.lexi.com.proxy.lib.uwaterloo.ca/lco/action/doc/retrieve/docid/patch_f/6576
Cetylpyridinium chloride (CPC) is available as an ingredient in a number of over-the-counter mouth rinses in varying concentrations and formulations. There is some evidence supporting twice daily usage in adjunct to toothbrushing for the prevention and reduction of plaque accumulation and gingivitis (1)(2)(3). Individual trials testing the efficacy of mouth rinses containing high bioavailable CPC in alcohol-free formulations show evidence of antiplaque and antigingivitis properties (1)(2). In direct head-to-head comparison with a mouth rinse containing essential oils, 0.07% CPC mouth rinses show comparable antiplaque and antigingivitis results (2). However, meta-analyses reviewing literature behind CPC-containing mouth rinses deem the evidence inconclusive due to heterogeneity of product formulations and study results (4)(5). CPC mouth rinses are thus not generally favoured over essential oils from an efficacy standpoint.
The side effects of using CPC-containing mouth rinses are mild, including tooth and tongue staining and oral irritation. Its incorporation into oral hygiene routine is reasonable and is safe in the general population, and especially in populations desiring non-alcohol formulations (4). It is recommended for use adults and children at 6 years and above (6).
References:
1. Mankodi S, Bauroth K, Witt JJ et al. A 6-month clinical trial to study the effects of cetylpyridinium chloride mouthrinse on gingivitis and plaque. Am J Dent. 2005. 18; 9A-14A.
2. Albert-Kiszely A, Pjetursson BE, Salvi GE, et al. Comparison of the effects of cetylpyridinium chloride with an essential oil mouth rinse on dental plaque and gingivitis - a six-month randomized controlled clinical trial. Journal of Clinical Peridontology 2007; 34: 658-667.
3. Haps S, Slot DE, Berchier CE, Van der Weijden GA. The effect of cetylpyridinium chloride-containing mouth rinses as adjuncts to toothbrushing on plaque and parameters of gingival inflammation: a systemic review. International Journal of Dental Hygiene. 2008; 6(4):290-303.
4. Osso D, Kanani N. Antiseptic mouth rinses: an update on comparative effectiveness, risks and recommendations. Journal of Dental Hygiene 2013; 87(1): 10-8.
5. Gunsolley JC. A meta-analysis of six-month studies of antiplaque and antigingivitis agents. The Journal of the American Dental Association 2006; 137(12):1649-57.
6. Lexi-Comp Inc. (2013). Retrieved 2013, from Lexi-Comp Online: http://online.lexi.com.proxy.lib.uwaterloo.ca/lco/action/doc/retrieve/docid/patch_f/6576