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. Author manuscript; available in PMC: 2011 May 3.
Published in final edited form as: Dent Clin North Am. 2010 Jan;54(1):13–33. doi: 10.1016/j.cden.2009.08.010

Table 7.

Second Generation Antimicrobials

Antimicrobial Cetylpyridinium chloride Chlorhexidine
Commercial Name Crest Pro-Health (Procter & Gamble) Peridex (3M Espe)
Periogard (Colgate)
ADA Seal of Acceptance No Yes
Active ingredients 0.07% CPC 0.12% Chlorhexidine gluconate (http://solutions.3m.com/wps/portal/3M/en_US/preventive-care/home/products/home-care-therapies/peridex/) and (http://www.colgateprofessional.com/products/Colgate-Periogard-Rinse-Rx-only/details)
Mechanism of Action Bactericidal agent interacts with the bacterial membrane. The cellular pressure disrupts the cell membrane and effectively kills the bacteria. Positively charged chlorhexidine molecule binds to negatively charged microbial cell wall, altering osmotic equlibrium, causing potassium and phosphorous leakage, precipitation of cytoplasmic contents and consequent cell death.
Efficacy published by the manufacturer Similar to Listerine (http://www.dentalcare.com/soap/products/index.htm) Certain aerobic and anaerobic bacteria reduction from 54 – 97% through six months use (http://solutions.3m.com/wps/portal/3M/en_US/preventive-care/home/products/home-care-therapies/peridex/)