The effect of povidone iodine on plaque and salivary bacteria. A double-blind crossover trial.

A double blind crossover trial was carried out to assess the effect of povidone iodine on plaque accumulation in vivo and to measure the total salivary aerobes and anaerobes throughout the study. When compared to the placebo preparation, povidone iodine was without effect on plaque accumulation in all the subjects and there was a progressive increase in plaque throughout the 10-day periods. A 30 to 40 % overall reduction in aerobes and anaerobes occurred with the active preparation which was significant. There appears to be no indication for the use of povidone iodine as an adjunct to oral hygiene or in the treatment of chronic gingivitis.