Arginine Toothpaste for Dry Mouth

Overseen by Athena Papas, DMD, PhD

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Travel: May Be Covered

Time Reimbursement: Varies

Trial Phase: Phase 3

Recruiting

Sponsor: Tufts University

Must be taking: Xerostomia medications

Must not be taking: Antibiotics, Antimicrobials, Pilocarpine, others

Disqualifiers: Sjogren's, Sarcoidosis, Immunocompromised, others

No Placebo Group

Pivotal Trial (Near Approval)

Prior Safety Data

Trial Summary

What is the purpose of this trial?

This is a clinical investigation to measure the changes in the oral environment resulting from a 3 month exposure to an arginine containing toothpaste. This study is a double blind, randomized controlled, parallel design. Seventy (70) male and female subjects who meet the inclusion/exclusion criteria will be enrolled in the study. Following oral health evaluations, subjects will be assigned to the treatment schedule and receive their assigned study product.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial does not specify if you need to stop taking your current medications. However, it requires participants to have been taking at least two medications that cause dry mouth for the last three months, so it seems you may continue with those medications.

What data supports the effectiveness of the treatment Arginine Toothpaste for Dry Mouth?

Research shows that toothpaste containing 1.5% arginine and fluoride is more effective at preventing cavities than regular fluoride toothpaste. Additionally, toothpaste with 8.0% arginine provides better relief for sensitive teeth compared to other sensitivity relief toothpastes. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Is arginine toothpaste safe for humans?

The research does not provide specific safety data for arginine toothpaste, but it is commonly used in products for sensitive teeth and has been studied for its effectiveness in reducing dentin hypersensitivity. ^{1 2 4 6 7}

How does arginine toothpaste differ from other treatments for dry mouth?

Arginine toothpaste is unique because it contains 8.0% arginine and calcium carbonate, which are known for providing instant and lasting relief of dentin hypersensitivity, a condition related to dry mouth. This combination is different from other treatments that may not offer the same immediate and prolonged relief. ^{1 2 3 8 9}

Research Team

Athena Papas, DMD, PhD

Principal Investigator

Tufts University School of Dental Medicine

Eligibility Criteria

This trial is for men and women with dry mouth who meet specific health requirements. Participants will be using one of two toothpastes over three months to see if there's an improvement in their oral condition.

Inclusion Criteria

I am between 18 and 80 years old and in good health.

I rate my dryness severity at 4 or higher on a scale of 0 to 10.

I have been on two medications causing dry mouth for the last three months.

Exclusion Criteria

Subjects unable to understand or unwilling to sign the informed consent form

Participation in any other clinical study within 1 week prior to enrollment into this study

I am not taking new or higher doses of pilocarpine or similar medications.

Trial Timeline

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Treatment

Participants use either a 1000 ppm F toothpaste or an 8% Arginine toothpaste for 12 weeks

12 weeks

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for changes in salivary pH and oral microbiome after treatment

4 weeks

Treatment Details

Interventions

• Colgate Cavity Protection Fluoride Toothpaste (Anti-cavity Toothpaste)
• Tom's of Maine Rapid Relief toothpaste (Desensitizing Toothpaste)

Trial Overview The study compares Colgate Cavity Protection Fluoride Toothpaste with Tom's of Maine Rapid Relief toothpaste, both containing arginine, to see which is better for dry mouth over a period of three months.

Participant Groups

Group I: Investigative Arm- Using an 8% Arginine toothpaste Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

For the study period (12 weeks), subjects in the Investigative Arm will be instructed to brush their teeth with an 8% Arginine toothpaste.

Group II: Control Arm- a 1000 ppm F toothpaste Active Control 1 Intervention

For the study period (12 weeks), subjects in the Control Arm will be instructed to brush their teeth with Control Arm- a 1000 ppm F toothpaste.

Colgate Cavity Protection Fluoride Toothpaste is already approved in India for the following indications:

Approved in India as Colgate Strong Teeth Toothpaste for:

• Prevention of dental caries
• Relief of dentin hypersensitivity
• Nourishment of teeth

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Tufts University

Lead Sponsor

Trials

271

Recruited

595,000+

Colgate Palmolive

Industry Sponsor

Trials

106

Recruited

19,100+

Noel Wallace

Colgate Palmolive

Chief Executive Officer since 2019

MBA from Harvard Business School

Diana Haussling

Colgate Palmolive

Chief Marketing Officer since 2022

Bachelor's degree in Marketing

Findings from Research

A toothpaste containing 8.0% arginine and calcium carbonate (Pro-Argin technology) has been shown to provide superior immediate and lasting relief from dentin hypersensitivity compared to a strontium-based toothpaste.

Clinical studies indicate that the strontium-based toothpaste is not more effective than regular fluoride toothpaste for immediate sensitivity relief, highlighting the efficacy of the arginine-based formulation.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Advances in the clinical management of dentin hypersensitivity: a review of recent evidence for the efficacy of dentifrices in providing instant and lasting relief. Cummins, D.[2013]

The Colgate-Palmolive Company has conducted a clinical program to evaluate the benefits of adding 1.5% arginine to fluoride toothpaste.

This addition aims to enhance the effectiveness of fluoride in preventing dental issues, although specific results or outcomes from the clinical program are not detailed in the abstract.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Comment on the paper entitled 'Arginine and caries prevention: A systematic review'. [2018]

Fluoride toothpastes are widely used to prevent cavities, but newer products are now competing by offering additional benefits like anti-tartar and whitening effects.

Recent advancements include multi-benefit toothpastes, such as Crest Gum Care and Colgate Total, which have been clinically shown to reduce plaque and gingivitis, in addition to their cavity-fighting properties.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The new toothpastes. Mandel, ID.[2010]

A novel toothpaste containing 1.5% arginine, an insoluble calcium compound, and fluoride has been shown to significantly reduce the risk of dental caries compared to traditional fluoride-only toothpaste, based on results from ten randomized clinical trials (RCTs).

This arginine-containing toothpaste not only enhances caries prevention but also supports the natural oral flora, promoting a healthier oral environment while providing a new approach to supplement mechanical plaque control.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The Superior Anti-caries Efficacy of Fluoride Toothpaste Containing 1.5% Arginine. Cummins, D.[2018]

The 5% NovaMin-based toothpaste was significantly more effective at occluding dentin tubules compared to both water and a control toothpaste after four days of use, indicating its superior efficacy in a clinical setting.

The 8% arginine-based toothpaste did not show significant occlusion compared to the control and water, suggesting it may be less effective under acidic dietary conditions, highlighting the importance of choosing the right desensitizing technology.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Randomized in situ clinical study comparing the ability of two new desensitizing toothpaste technologies to occlude patent dentin tubules. West, NX., Macdonald, EL., Jones, SB., et al.[2022]

Colgate Total Pharma (CTP) demonstrated a significant antiplaque effect compared to Colgate Regular Toothpaste (CRT) in a study involving 15 subjects, indicating its potential as an effective oral hygiene product.

The study utilized a robust clinical methodology, including a crossover design and multiple independent examiners, to ensure reliable and reproducible results, confirming the efficacy of CTP in reducing plaque formation.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The use of the Modified Gingival Margin Plaque Index (MGMPI) method to investigate the inhibitory effect of various toothpastes on dental plaque formation. Moazzez, R., Booth, V., Barnes, VM., et al.[2013]

A systematic review of 14 randomized controlled trials indicates that arginine-containing toothpastes significantly reduce dentin hypersensitivity compared to placebo and potassium salt-containing toothpastes, with a moderate quality of evidence.

While arginine toothpastes show promise, the evidence quality is lower when compared to strontium-containing toothpastes, highlighting the need for more rigorous studies to confirm their efficacy.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Arginine-containing toothpastes for dentin hypersensitivity: systematic review and meta-analysis. Yan, B., Yi, J., Li, Y., et al.[2021]

A toothpaste with 8.0% arginine and calcium carbonate (Pro-Argin technology) has been clinically validated to provide superior relief from dentin hypersensitivity compared to potassium-based desensitizing toothpastes.

New clinical data shows that this arginine-based toothpaste offers better instant and lasting relief than a toothpaste containing 8% strontium acetate, highlighting its effectiveness in treating sensitive teeth.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Clinical evidence for the superior efficacy of a dentifrice containing 8.0% arginine and calcium carbonate in providing instant and lasting relief of dentin hypersensitivity. Cummins, D.[2014]

References

1. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Advances in the clinical management of dentin hypersensitivity: a review of recent evidence for the efficacy of dentifrices in providing instant and lasting relief. [2013]

2. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Comment on the paper entitled 'Arginine and caries prevention: A systematic review'. [2018]

3. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Dentin hypersensitivity reduction of a new toothpaste containing 8.0% arginine and 1450 ppm fluoride: an 8-week clinical study on Chinese adults. [2013]

4. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The new toothpastes. [2010]

5. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The Superior Anti-caries Efficacy of Fluoride Toothpaste Containing 1.5% Arginine. [2018]

6. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Randomized in situ clinical study comparing the ability of two new desensitizing toothpaste technologies to occlude patent dentin tubules. [2022]

7. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The use of the Modified Gingival Margin Plaque Index (MGMPI) method to investigate the inhibitory effect of various toothpastes on dental plaque formation. [2013]

8. Germany pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Arginine-containing toothpastes for dentin hypersensitivity: systematic review and meta-analysis. [2021]

9. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Clinical evidence for the superior efficacy of a dentifrice containing 8.0% arginine and calcium carbonate in providing instant and lasting relief of dentin hypersensitivity. [2014]