A latest study reported that 0.05% cetylpyridinium chloride (CPC) mouthwash is a safe and effective alternative to 0.12% chlorhexidine gluconate (CHX) mouthwash in reducing dental plaque accumulation and gingival inflammation. This study was published in the International Journal of Dental Hygiene.

 This study was a double-blind, parallel, randomized clinical study which included 219 university students. The participants were divided into three trial groups: CPC, CHX and placebo group. Clinical oral examinations to assess dental plaque accumulation (modified Quigley-Hein Plaque Index), gingival health (Leo and Silness Gingival Index) and tooth staining (modified Lobene Stain Index) were performed for 6 weeks.

 At the end of 6 weeks, plaque and gingivitis scores between the CPC and placebo group and between the CHX and placebo group were found to be significantly different. The staining scores of participants in the CPC group were significantly lower when compared with CHX group.

Based on the results of study, it can be concluded that, the 0.05% CPC mouthwash was safe and efficient than 0.12% CHX mouthwash in reducing dental plaque accumulation and gingival inflammation.

A recent study says a combination of N-acetylcysteine (NAC) and calcium hydroxide [Ca(OH)2] intracanal medications (ICMs) has broad antimicrobial activity in primary endodontic infection with apical periodontitis (PEIAP). This study was published in the Journal of Clinical Oral Investigations.

This randomized control study included 36 teeth with PEIAP that were randomly divided into groups based on the ICM received: NAC, Ca(OH)2 + saline solution (SSL), and Ca(OH)2 + 2% chlorhexidine-gel (2% CHX-gel). Root canal samples (RCSs) were collected before (s1) and after instrumentation (s2) and after 14 days of ICM (s3). Chemomechanical preparation (CMP) was performed with a Reciproc file and 2.5% NaOCl.

The most frequent bacteria found in PEIAP were S. mitis (65%), E. nodatum (63%), E. faecalis (63%), F. nucl sp vicentii (58%), T. forsythia (58%), and F. periodonticum (56%). At s1, bacterial DNA was detected in 100% of RCSs. At s3, the intragroup analysis revealed a broader antimicrobial activity for Ca (OH)2 + 2% CHX-gel and NAC than Ca(OH)2 + SSL. CMP reduced the mean number of species per RCS from 17.92 ± 13.18. To 6.8 ± 2.36.

Based on the results of the study, it can be concluded that NAC has the potential antimicrobial activity to eliminate bacterial species that are resistant to both Ca (OH)2 and ICMs.