Concentration of antimicrobial proteins in human saliva. The effect of six months use of an antiplaque dentifrice on levels of antimicrobial proteins in unstimulated saliva from 102 adults.

Student nurses (aged 20-26 years) were assigned to two groups that were matched for plaque levels and gingival health. For six months, one group used a standard fluoride dentifrice while the other used an identical dentifrice to which zinc citrate (1%, w/w) and Triclosan (0.2%, w/w) had been added. Levels of natural antimicrobial proteins (lysozyme, lactoferrin, salivary peroxidase and Immunoglobulin A) in whole, unstimulated saliva taken from the students at the start and on completion of the six months were measured. No statistically significant differences were found in the levels of antimicrobial proteins in saliva between the test and placebo groups.