A randomised clinical study investigating efficacy of a stannous fluoride toothpaste in improving gingival health after 3 weeks’ use

Background This examiner-blind, stratified, parallel study aimed to evaluate the anti-gingivitis efficacy of a non-aqueous (anhydrous) 0.454% w/w stannous fluoride toothpaste (‘Test’) versus a sodium monofluorophosphate toothpaste (‘Control’) in people with clinically-confirmed mild-moderate gingivitis. Plaque-induced gingivitis can progress to irreversible periodontitis if left untreated. This can be controlled by an effective oral hygiene regimen such as one including toothbrushing with a toothpaste containing the chemotherapeutic agent stannous fluoride. Long-term studies over 4–12 weeks have shown the efficacy of stannous fluoride; however, shorter term studies are needed to examine if the effects on measures of gingivitis and plaque control occur sooner. Methods Eligible participants were randomised to 3 weeks’ twice-daily brushing (for 1 min) with Test or Control toothpastes. The primary efficacy variable was between-treatment difference in Bleeding Index (BI) at 3 weeks; secondary variables were between-treatment differences in number of bleeding sites, modified Gingival Index (MGI), and Turesky modification of the Quigley–Hein Plaque Index (TPI) at Weeks 2 and 3. Results A statistically significant (p p Conclusion Three weeks’ twice-daily brushing with the 0.454% w/w stannous fluoride Test toothpaste compared to the Control toothpaste led to statistically significant lower gingival bleeding, gingival inflammation and plaque levels in adults with mild-moderate gingivitis. These results indicate that plaque and gingivitis-reducing benefits of 0.454% w/w stannous fluoride may be seen from 2 weeks’ use. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT04050722; 08/08/2019.