delmopinol

Delmopinol is a surface-active cationic agent used primarily as an oral rinse for the treatment of gingivitis and prevention of periodontitis. It acts by interacting with the early acquired pellicle—a thin layer of saliva polymers and proteins covering teeth and gums—forming a barrier that prevents microbial adhesion and colonization on tooth and gum surfaces. Delmopinol does not have significant bactericidal activity but disrupts plaque matrix, reduces viscosity of glucans, loosens cohesive properties of plaque, slows formation of salivary pellicle (the priming step for bacterial attachment), reduces adherence of pioneer bacteria to tooth/gingival surfaces, and impedes colonizing bacteria from adhering to the plaque matrix. It is less likely than chlorhexidine to cause staining. The drug has also been studied for its anti-inflammatory effects in the oral cavity[1][2][4][5].

Brand names

DecapinolPerioShieldDecapinol Oral Rinse

Other names

delmopinol hydrochloridedelmopinol HClDelmopinolum(+/-)-3-(4-propylheptyl)-4-morpholineethanol