Periodontal disease is highly prevalent and can affect up to 90% of the world population. Toothbrushes and the use of dental floss and other devices to remove bacterial plaque from the teeth are the most common ways of removing biofilm. Despite its important role in the control of periodontal disease, mechanical plaque control is not properly practiced by most individuals. The importance of oral hygiene and the long-term success of therapy for periodontal disease is hampered by the frequent ineffectiveness of mechanical cleaning of specific sites using a toothbrush, and the limited or lack of use of interdental cleaning by any individual. This supports the concept of employing agents to control plaque which requires minimal compliance and skill in their use. Over 4 decades there has been quite intense interest in the use of chemical agents to control supragingival plaque and thereby gingivitis. It is relevant to employ antimicrobial medications to control effectively various types of periodontal disease.