Clinical effects of interdental cleansing on supragingival biofilm formation and development of experimental gingivitis.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of the present study was to test the effects of interdental cleansing with dental floss on supragingival biofilm removal in natural dentition during a 3-week period of experimental biofilm accumulation.


METHODS
The present study was performed as a single-blind, parallel, randomised, controlled clinical trial using the experimental gingivitis model (Löe et al, 1965). Thirty-two students were recruited and assigned to one of the following experimental or control groups: Group A used a fluoride-containing dentifrice (NaF dentifrice) on a toothbrush for 60 s twice a day, Group B used an unwaxed dental floss twice a day, Group C used a waxed dental floss twice a day in every interproximal space and Group D rinsed twice a day for 60 s with drinking water (control).


RESULTS
During 21 days of abolished oral hygiene, the groups developed various amounts of plaque and gingivitis. Neither of the cleansing protocols alone allowed the prevention of gingivitis development. Toothbrushing alone yielded better outcomes than did any of the flossing protocols. Interdental cleansing with a waxed floss had better biofilm removal effects than with unwaxed floss.


CONCLUSIONS
Toothbrushing without interdental cleansing using dental floss and interdental cleansing alone cannot prevent the development of gingivitis.
Salvi
Giovanni E
GE
Department of Periodontology, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland. giovanni.salvi@zmk.unibe.ch
Della Chiesa
Andrea
A
Kianpur
Pejman
P
Attström
Rolf
R
Schmidlin
Kurt
K
Zwahlen
Marcel
M
Lang
Niklaus P
NP
D000328:Adult; D018441:Biofilms; D002327:Cariostatic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003742:Dental Devices, Home Care / Q000145:classification; D003773:Dental Plaque / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D003774:Dental Plaque Index; D003802:Dentifrices / Q000627:therapeutic use; D018450:Disease Progression; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005891:Gingivitis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009910:Oral Hygiene / Q000295:instrumentation*; D010512:Periodontal Index; D016037:Single-Blind Method; D012969:Sodium Fluoride / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014099:Toothbrushing / Q000295:instrumentation; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult
D002327:Cariostatic Agents; D003802:Dentifrices; D012969:Sodium Fluoride