Clinical Evaluation of the Efficacy of a Marketed Dentifrice on Plaque and Gingivitis

Inclusion Criteria: * Have provided written informed consent prior to being entered into study * Have at least 18 scorable natural teeth as determined by the examiner * Have a mean baseline plaque index score greater than or equal to 2.0 as determined by the Soparkar Modification of the Turesky modification of the Quigley-Hein Plaque Index * Have a mean baseline gingival index score of greater than 1.80 as determined by the Modified Gingival Index * Presence of greater than 10 bleeding sites upon probing * Agree not to have dental prophylaxis or any other elective, no -emergency dental procedures (other than those provided during the study) any time during the study * Agree to abstain from use of floss, chewing gum, mouth rinses, any toothpaste other than the study toothpaste, tooth whitening products (either professional or at home use) and all other oral hygiene other than the study procedures for the duration of the study. * Agree to refrain from all oral hygiene on the morning of each evaluation visit and to refrain from eating and drinking for 4 hours prior to each evaluation visit * Agree to comply with the conditions and schedule of the study Exclusion Criteria: * Physical limitations or restrictions that might preclude normal tooth brushing * Evidence of gross oral pathology, including widespread caries or chronic neglect, extensive restoration, pre-existing gross plaque or soft or hard tissue tumor of the oral cavity. * Heavy calculus that might interfere with evaluations as determined by the Investigator/Examiner * Chronic disease with concomitant oral manifestations * Conditions requiring antibiotic prophylaxis prior to invasive procedures, such as heart murmur, history of rheumatic fever, valvular disease or certain prosthetic implants * History of uncontrolled diabetes or hepatic or renal disease, or other serious conditions or transmittable diseases (eg cardiovascular disease, AIDS) * Subjects with fixed or removable orthodontic appliances or removable partial dentures * Subjects who are currently undergoing, or require, extensive dental work or orthodontic treatment * Treatment with antibiotics within the 1-month period before the baseline examination, or a condition that is likely to require antibiotic treatment over the course of the trial * Chronic treatment (2 weeks or more) with any medication known to affect periodontal status (including phenytoin, calcium antagonists, cyclosporine, coumarin, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, and aspirin) within 1 month of baseline examination. All other medications for chronic medical conditions must have been initiated at least 3 months before enrollment * Moderately advanced to advanced periodontitis as indicated by clinical attachment loss, radiographic alveolar bone loss, and/or periodontal pockets greater than 5 millimeters * Having history of early-onset periodontitis or acute necrotizing ulcerative gingivitis * Concomitant endodontic or periodontal therapy other than prophylaxis in the last 6 months * Professional prophylaxis within 1 month prior to the baseline clinical evaluation * Currently using bleaching trays * Currently using power toothbrush * Currently a smoker or recently (during the past 6 months) quit smoking * Having any oral piercings in or around the oral cavity with ornament or accessory * Regular use of any chemotherapeutic antiplaque/antigingivitis products such as Colgate Total, Crest Pro-Health, Listerine, etc * History of significant adverse effects following use of oral hygiene products such as toothpastes and mouthrinses * Subjects who are nursing, pregnant or plan to become pregnant for the duration of the study