The impact of a low-frequency chlorhexidine rinsing schedule on the subgingival microbiota (the TEETH clinical trial).
BACKGROUND
Information on the efficacy of chlorhexidine (CHX) rinsing on the subgingival microbiota is limited. This study tested if intermittent CHX rinsing over 5 years had an impact on the subgingival microbiota.


METHODS
Subgingival plaque samples were analyzed by the checkerboard DNA-DNA hybridization method in a double-blind randomized CHX rinse study.


RESULTS
A total of 210 subjects were included. The mean age of the subjects was 71.7 (+/- 4.1) years, and 56.2% were women. Evidence of alveolar bone loss was found in 39% of subjects. Bacterial loads were not correlated significantly with probing depth. At year 5, subjects in the CHX rinse group with no evidence of bone loss presented with lower total bacterial counts than control subjects with no bone loss. The levels of the following bacteria were significantly lower in the CHX group: Lactobacillus acidophilus (P <0.05), Eikenella corrodens (P <0.05), Fusobacterium nucleatum sp. nucleatum (P <0.01), Treponema denticola (P <0.05), Leptotrichia buccalis (P <0.05), and Eubacterium saburreum (P <0.05). No differences in bacterial loads were found between CHX and control rinse subjects with alveolar bone loss.


CONCLUSIONS
Older subjects with or without periodontitis carry a large variety of bacteria associated with periodontitis. Intermittent rinsing with CHX may provide a preventive benefit in reducing levels of bacteria but only in subjects without alveolar bone loss.
Persson
G Rutger
GR
Department of Periodontology and Fixed Prosthodontics, Division of Oral Microbiology, School of Dental Medicine, University of Berne, Berne, Switzerland. rutger.persson@zmk
Yeates
Justin
J
Persson
Rigmor E
RE
Hirschi-Imfeld
Regula
R
Weibel
Marianne
M
Kiyak
H Asuman
HA
D000368:Aged; D016301:Alveolar Bone Loss / Q000473:pathology; D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D002710:Chlorhexidine / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D015169:Colony Count, Microbial; D004269:DNA, Bacterial / Q000032:analysis; D016321:Dental Care for Aged / Q000379:methods*; D003773:Dental Plaque / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000382:microbiology*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D009067:Mouthwashes / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric
D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local; D004269:DNA, Bacterial; D009067:Mouthwashes; D002710:Chlorhexidine