This study evaluates the effectiveness of brushing and flossing sequence in the control of dental plaque and gingival inflammation.
Periodontal disease is the disease of the supporting dental tissues like alveolar bone,periodontal ligament cementum and gingiva. The most common form is plaque-induced gingivitis . Bleeding on gingival probing is one of the hallmarks of gingival inflammation.The removal of dental plaque is the most crucial action for preventing and treating gingival inflammation. Toothbrush along with toothpaste are still the most reliable means of plaque control. However, cleaning should be thorough and performed at regular intervals. Toothbrush has a limited ability to reach all the areas around the tooth. Inter-dental areas are prone for plaque accumulation and gingival inflammation. Dental floss is one of the most effective tool in addition to tooth brush to remove inter-dental plaque. The sequence of using toothbrush and dental floss may influence the removal of dental plaque and consequently reducing the bleeding on probing of gingiva. There is conflicting evidence in the literature. The hypothesis of this study is that the sequence of brushing and flossing will not influence control of plaque control and gingival inflammation.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
PREVENTION
Masking
SINGLE
Enrollment
30
Participants will follow Brushing first and flossing later (BF) sequence for 2 weeks, and after 1 week wash out period, Flossing first and Brushing later (FB) sequence for another 2 weeks.
Participants will follow Flossing first and Brushing later (FB) sequence for 2 weeks, and after 1 week wash out period, Brushing first and flossing later (BF) sequence for another 2 weeks.
Faculty of Dentistry, Melaka-Manipal Medical College
Melaka Tengah, Melaka, Malaysia
Change From Baseline in Mean BPI Index Scores at 2 Weeks
Bleeding on probing (BOP) is an objective indicator of inflammation. BPI (Bleeding Point Index) is a validated index used to measure BOP. BOP is determined at the buccal, lingual and proximal surfaces of all teeth using BPI scores. BPI scores are measured at baseline and 2 weeks, followed by a wash out period of one week. BPI score is measured again at baseline and 2 weeks after cross over in intervention. Change in BPI scores will give the estimation of effect of the intervention. BPI score- minimum value is 0% and Maximum is 100% of bleeding surfaces in each individual patient with teeth. A positive error means that the predicted value is larger than the true value, and a negative error means that the predicted value is less than the true value. The mean error should be close to zero. Sometimes it will be negative or positive depending on the population.. Higher mean score is poor outcome. However, higher reduction in mean score compared to baseline is better outcome.
Time frame: Baseline and 2 weeks
Change From Baseline in Mean RMNPI Index Score at 2 Weeks
Rustogi Modified Navy Plaque Index(RMNPI) is a self validated tool to assess dental plaque accumulation on the teeth surfaces. RMNPI scores are used to assess change in plaque scores at baseline and at the end of 2 weeks .This will be followed by a 1 week wash out period. Then there is a cross over in the intervention. RMNPI scores are measured again from Baseline and 2 weeks. Maximum number of surfaces examined are 504 per person. A Minimum value of 0 and maximum value of 1 can be calculated in each patient. Higher mean score is a worse outcome. However,higher percent reduction in mean score when compared to baseline is better outcome.
Time frame: Baseline and 2 weeks
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