Abstract: A gingival contour probe comprising a shaft portion and an elongated tip portion attached at a proximal end thereof to the shaft portion, the tip portion being non-planarly bent and/or curved and carrying markings, the number and scale of which are indicative of measured lengths; the probe being adapted at least by the number and/or scale of the markings for use in convenient gingival margin measurement of a tooth in a conscious non-human animal. A method for quantifying dental plaque in a conscious non-human animal comprising (a) aligning the tip portion of such a gingival contour probe with a gingival margin of a tooth in the animal; (b) by reference to the markings on the tip portion of the probe, measuring the length of the margin and the length of plaque deposit if any at the margin; and (c) calculating a plaque score for the tooth by comparing the length of plaque deposit with the length of the margin.

Abstract: A stable and efficacious antiplaque, anticalculus, and antigingivitis oral composition is provided having an antibacterial ingredient comprising one or more active compounds found in an extract of magnolia combined with an anticalculus system comprising tetrasodium pyrophosphate (TSPP) about 1 to about 2.5% and sodium tripolyphosphate (STPP) about 1 to about 10%. The oral composition can be in the form of a mouth rinse or dentifrice, including toothpaste, gels, powders, as well as confectionaries, lozenges, and the like. Methods of making and using the oral composition are also provided.