A Study to Assess the Impact of a Non-SLS Toothpaste Upon Oral Mucosal Desquamation

Subjects will use a wash out toothpaste for at least 10 days prior to each leg of the crossover design. Clinical assessment of oral mucosa status will be performed by a trained examiner before supervised product application, 30 minutes after product application and again after 4 days of twice daily brushing with product. Supervised product application consists of cap splint application of allocated toothpaste to maxillary arch followed by brushing whole mouth with toothpaste and swishing with resultant slurry around the mouth.

For visual sloughing evaluation, the oral mucosa will be divided into 12 assessment areas and each area evaluated for severity of sloughing on a 0 to 5 scale.

The following outcomes will be generated from the sloughing data:

• Whole mouth data per subject: each non-zero severity score will be treated as one lesion count, giving a maximum score of 12;
• Subject level mucosal severity sloughing score: severity score averaged over the 12 areas assessed.

Inclusion criteria

• Internal (University of Birmingham Dental School) panellists only
• Willing to sign an informed consent form and complete a medical history questionnaire.
• Must be available for the duration of the study.
• Must be a current non-smoker and not chew tobacco.
• Have a minimum of 8 teeth in both upper and lower jaws, which are free from obvious untreated caries or significant periodontal disease

Exclusion criteria

• Show unwillingness, inability or lack of motivation to carry out the study procedures
• Are pregnant or breastfeeding females.
• Are diabetic.
• Have severe oral mucosal problems.
• Orthodontic banding or removable partial dentures
• Have an active cold sore.
• Have any oral piercings.
• Have a mouth ulcer or who experience mouth ulcers on a regular basis, Lichen Planus Vesiculo-Bullous disorders
• Obvious signs of untreated caries or significant periodontal disease, which in the opinion of the Study Dentist, will effect either the scientific validity of the study or if the volunteer's participation would affect their well being
• Volunteers who are at risk from transient bacteraemias.
• Regular use of medication, which could interfere with study objectives or affect the validity of the study.
• Have or have had a medical or dental condition, which in the option of the dentist would make them unsuitable for inclusion.
• Have problem of bleeding after brushing.
• Must not be a regular user of chlorhexidine mouthwash, or have used it within the past 6 weeks.
• Has allergic responses to dental/oral hygiene products or components in the formulation of the toothpaste.
• The subject is participating in other studies testing oral care products.
• The subject is an employee of Unilever.