A STUDY OF THE BACTERICIDAL, BACTERIOSTATIC AND PEPTIZING ACTION OF CERTAIN DENTIFRICES

¹ Research Department of the Georgetown University Dental School, Washington, D. C.

Sodium ricinoleate, although not possessed of bactericidal qualities, as evidenced by its phenol coefficient, when used as a mouth wash distinctly lowers the bacterial count and holds it at a low level for a considerable period. These qualities are in marked contrast to hexylresorcinol, although it has a higher phenol coefficient.

Sodium ricinoleate apparently is possessed of unique cleansing powers as well as a peptizing action, which so thoroughly cleanse the oral tissues that little or no organic material is permitted to remain in the mouth to act as a culture medium for mouth organisms.