The effect of toothpaste containing triclosan on oral mucosal desquamation

Abstract SLS‐containing toothpaste has previously been shown to cause oral mucosal desquamations when used in an experimental cap splint model. The aim of the present study was to examine the effect of toothpastes containing SLS in combination with triclosan on oral mucosal desquamation in a similar cap splint model system. It has previously been shown that the antibacterial agent triclosan also may have anti‐inflammatory properties. The concentration of triclosan in the experimental toothpastes was 0.3%, while SLS varied from 1.5% to 3%. No oral mucosal desquamations were observed after use of a 1.5% SLS – 0.3% triclosan containing toothpaste, contrary to the positive control toothpaste that contained 1.5% SLS without triclosan. Furthermore, a statistically significant reduction in severe desquamations was observed after use of a toothpaste containing 3% SLS – 0.3% triclosan compared with the positive control. It may thus be suggested that triclosan exerts a moderating effect on desquamative reactions caused by SLS and that the effect is dependent on the relative amount of triclosan and SLS in the toothpastes.