The fi rst chemotherapeutics the antibacterial agent, triclosan. Triclosan can be considered to be a dual-action antiseptic because it has both antimicrobial and antiinflammatory properties. Although triclosan itself is not new, nor are dentifrices, the combination of the two products is a relatively new occurrence. Toothpaste with triclosan has been clinically proven to be effective against dental caries, gingivitis, plaque biofi lm, and calculus.