In vitro antiplaque effects of antiseptic phenols.

Several phenols known to be antiseptics were tested in vitro for their ability to adsorb to saliva-coated enamel and subsequently inhibit plaque formation. 3,5,4'-tribromosalicylanilide was found to be effective against growth and plaque formation of A viscosus, A naeslundii, S mutans and S sanguis. Dibromsalicil was effective against A viscosus. The other phenols (hexylresorcinol, thymol, phenylphenol and zinc phenolsulfonate) did not inhibit in vitro growth or plaque formation.