They claim that swishing with Plax before brushing removes more plaque than brushing alone.
Well, no shit! But how does it differ from water? I could swish vigorously with water before I brush, and that loosens and little pieces of food that may be stuck between my teeth, etc. So I can legitimately claim that using water before brushing removes more plaque than brushing alone.
Is there something (chemically) that is going on here? Or is Plax just a brilliant marketing idea, not being anything more than a pre-brush mouthwash?
Plax contains triclosan which consists of a bacteriacide and a polymer. The former kills off the bacteria in your mouth and the latter causes it to stick to your teeth for a while afterwards.
I don’t think it works by removing a great deal of plaque as you rinse, but by reducing the build up of plaque between brushings. The claim that it removes more plaque than brusing alone must be based on use over a period of time, not a single use.
However, if what you claim is true, then wouldn’t it be more effective to use after you brush? That way you’re leave the bacteriacide on your teeth instead of brushing it off?
I read a report (I think in Consumer Reports) several years ago that told the details of the study the creators of Plax used. They compared rinsing with Plax with brushing your teeth with a toothbrush with no paste for 30 seconds or some small amount of time. You could probably rinse with water and remove just as much plaque.
My dentist told me that it is no more effective than plain water. They keep sending her samples, but she refuses to give them out to patients becuase it is a scam.
She does recommend a fluoride rinse like Act, though.