Effect of Vitamin C and Copper Sulphate on Plaque Accumulation

Methods: A two-phase double blind 4-leg cross-over study with 12 healthy volunteers consuming sugar-free pressed mints (SFPM) or sugar-free chewing gum (SFCG) both containing vitamin C and copper sulphate or their placebo 5 times a day, while refraining from oral hygiene for 5 days. QLF images of buccal surfaces of upper and lower anterior teeth (canine to canine) were analysed for the presence of red fluorescence (RF).

Results: In both SFPM and SFCG the presence of vitamin C and copper sulphate led to a reduced accumulation of dental plaque as assessed by both red fluorescence intensity (ΔR) and area of RF. For pressed mints mean ΔR was calculated as 34.5 ± 3.6% and 34.7 ± 2.0% (paired t-test, p=0.85) for experimental and placebo formulation, the area of RF was 95.3 ± 37.3 mm² and 115.3 ± 43.1 mm² respectively (paired t-test, p=0.045). For chewing gum mean ΔR was observed as 33.4 ± 1.6% and 34.6 ± 3.1% (paired t-test, p=0.18) for experimental and placebo formulation and the area of RF was 104.6 ± 51.6 mm² and 123.4 ± 47.9 mm² respectively (paired t-test, p=0.26).

Conclusion: The consumption of chewing gum and pressed mints containing the combination of vitamin C and copper sulphate showed a reduction of dental plaque accumulation within this study design, however the difference was only found to be significant for area of RF for pressed mints.

The study was sponsored by Wm WRIGLE Jr Company.