A randomized controlled trial evaluating the efficacy of a 67% sodium bicarbonate toothpaste on gingivitis

Abstract

A randomized controlled trial evaluating the efficacy of a 67% sodium bicarbonate toothpaste on gingivitis Abstract: Introduction: In previous studies, toothpastes with high levels of sodium bicarbonate (>50%) have reduced gingival inflammation and oral malodour. This study compared the effects of brushing for 6 weeks with 67% (test group) or 0% (control group) sodium bicarbonate toothpaste on gingival health. Methods: This was a single-centre, single examiner-blind, randomized, controlled, twotreatment, parallel-group study. Eligible subjects (≥18 years) had ≥20 gradable teeth, mild-to-moderate gingivitis, a positive response to bleeding on brushing and ≥20 bleeding sites. The primary objective was to compare the number of bleeding sites following twice-daily use of 67% sodium bicarbonate toothpaste or 0% sodium bicarbonate toothpaste after 6 weeks. Secondary endpoints included Modified Gingival Index (MGI), Bleeding Index (BI) and volatile sulphur compounds (VSC), assessed after 6 weeks. Safety was assessed by treatment-emergent oral soft tissue abnormalities and adverse events. Results: Of 148 patients randomized (74 to each treatment), 66 (89.2%) completed the study in the test group, compared with 69 (93.2%) in the control group. Compared with the control group, the test group had a significant reduction in the number of bleeding sites at Week 6 (absolute difference -11.0 [À14.0, À8.0], P < 0.0001; relative difference -25.4%), together with significant reductions in MGI and BI (both P < 0.0001). Although the median reductions from baseline for VSC were numerically greater in the test group, the difference did not reach statistical significance (P = 0.9701). Conclusions: This 67% sodium bicarbonate toothpaste provided statistically significant improvements in gingival health and bleeding after 6 weeks of use.

The efficacy of baking soda dentifrice in controlling plaque and gingivitis: A systematic review

“…The search of the MEDLINE‐PubMed and Cochrane‐CENTRAL databases resulted in 184 unique papers. Manual searching of the reference lists of the final selected papers provided two additional relevant papers, Al‐Kholani et al, listed by Hosadurga et al and Akwagyiram et al, listed by Bosma et al Altogether, 21 eligible publications were found . Among these, Putt et al and Mason et al provided five and two sub‐studies, respectively, within their main publications.…”

“…Smoking status was generally unclear. Hosadurga et al specifically excluded smokers, and only Lomax et al, Jose et al and Akwagyiram et al reported the smoking status of the included participants. The duration of follow‐up studies ranged from 1 month to 6 months.…”

“…The duration of follow‐up studies ranged from 1 month to 6 months. In five studies, participants received professional oral prophylaxis at the start of the experimental period. The RDA value, the percentage of BS and the fluoride content were inconsistently reported.…”

“…For three studies, it was unclear whether the dentifrices were marketed products . Five other studies used non‐marketed experimental dentifrices . Fifteen studies had industry involvement, with seven different companies acting either as a study initiator or where the authors were employees; companies also provided products, funding or financial grants.…”

Baking soda dentifrice and periodontal health

“…There are multiple clinical studies that have measured the effect of baking soda dentifrices in the control of plaque and gingival inflammation. Some studies 16,19,21,29,[39][40][41][42] have not shown baking soda to be comparatively more efficacious in reduction of plaque and gingival inflammation when compared with dentifrices that contain triclosan or herbal ingredients. Conversely, several studies have demonstrated that baking soda dentifrices are superior to control dentifrices in the control of plaque and gingivitis.…”