1. Patients were excluded from the study if they had moderate to advanced periodontal disease, 5 or more decayed untreated dental sites at screening, other disease of the hard or soft oral tissues. 2. Patients were excluded from the study if they began taking medications that can influence the study outcome, antibiotics or antimicrobial drugs, within one month prior to the start of the study or if they started taking them during the course of the study.