title: Effects of oral hygiene measures on clinical and microbiological parameters of periodontal disease.
abstract: The effects of a 12-week period of oral hygiene alone on gingival conditions and subgingival microflora in 15 patients with severe periodontitis were investigated. Clinical measurements and plaque samples from selected sites were taken at week 0 (baseline), week 6, and week 12. Plaque samples were also taken at week 13, that is, 1 week following debridement. At week 0, the patients were instructed in supragingival plaque control and at week 6, the hygiene regimen was supplemented with the subgingival use of a toothpick device. At week 12, the patients received a full mouth supra- and subgingival debridement under local anesthesia. In those patients who complied with oral hygiene instructions (subgroup A), the gingival condition improved moderately while no improvement was found in less compliant patients (subgroup B). No significant changes were noted in the subgingival microflora in either subgroups A or B throughout the 12-week period of oral hygiene alone. However, significant reductions for all microbial parameters were found 1 week after debridement. Therefore, while moderate clinical improvements followed oral hygiene alone, no measurable changes in the subgingival microflora were observed concomitantly.
authors.affiliation: School of Dentistry, Loma Linda University, CA.
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Loos
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Claffey
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Crigger
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001419:Bacteria / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D006267:Health Education, Dental; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008875:Middle Aged; D009910:Oral Hygiene; D010349:Patient Compliance; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D010514:Periodontal Pocket / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000473:pathology; D010518:Periodontitis / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000473:pathology; D013357:Subgingival Curettage