This study was performed to determine oral hygiene benefits and safety of dextranase(Lipomyces starkeyi KSM 22 dextranase)-containing mouthwash in human experimental gingivitis. This 3-week clinical trial was placebo-controlled double-blind design evaluating 1U/ml dextranase mouthwash and 0.12% chlorhexidine mouthwash. A total 39 systemically healthy subjects, who had moderate levels of plaque and gingivitis were included. At baseline, 1, 2 and 3 weeks, subjects were scored for plaque(Silness and Loe plaque index and plaque severity index), gingivitis(Loe and Silness gingival index), and at baseline and 3 weeks of experiment, subjects were scored for plaque(Turesky-Quingley-Hein's plaque index and plaque severity index), tooth stain(Area and severity index system by Lang et al). Additionally, oral mucosal examinations were performed and subjects questioned for adverse symptoms. Two weeks after pre-experiment examinations and a professional prophylaxis, the subjects provided with allocated mousewash and instructed to use 20-ml volumes for 30s twice dailywithout toothbrushing. All the groups showed significant increase in plaque accumulation since 1 week of experiment. During 3 weeks' period, the dextranase group showed the least increase in plaque accumulation of Silness and Loe plaque index, compared to the chlorhexidine and placebo groups, but chlorhexidine group showed the least increase inplaque accumulation of Turesky-Quingley-Hein's plaque index. As for gingival inflammation, all the groups showed significant increase during 3 weeks of experiment. The dextranase group also showed the least increase in gingival index score, compared to the chlorhexidine as well as the placebo groups. Whereas the tooth stain was increased significantly in the chlorhexidine group, compared to the baseline score and the placebo group since 3 weeks of mouthrinsing. It was significantly increased after 3 weeks in the dextranase group, still less severe than the chlorhexidine group. As for the oral side effect, the dextranase group showed less tongue accumulation, bad taste, compared to the chlorhexidine group.

From these results, mouthrinsing with Lipomyces starkeyi KSM 22 dextranase was comparable to 0.12% chlorhexidine mouthwashin inhibition of plaque accumulation and gingival inflammation and local side effects were if anything less frequent and less intense than chlorhexidine, in human experimental gingivitis. All data had provided positive evidence for Lipomyces starkeyi KSM 22 dextranase as an antiplaque agent and suggested that further development of dextranase formulations for plaque control are warranted.