A Comparison of Oral Hygiene Products and Professional Care: A six-week randomized clinical trial

Abstract

Purpose: To investigate the anti-gingivitis efficacy of a novel oral hygiene routine consisting of a two-step stannous fluoride dentifrice and hydrogen peroxide whitening gel system, an interactive oscillating-rotating electric toothbrush, and expanded polytetrafluoroethylene floss.

Methods: A total of 52 participants (n=52;mean age 35.8±11.23 years) were enrolled in the study and randomized 1:1 to the experimental hygiene group or control (dental prophylaxis followed by use of standard sodium fluoride dentifrice and a manual toothbrush). Participants were instructed to brush twice daily; those in the experimental group were instructed to floss once daily. Oral examinations were conducted at Baseline, Week 2, Week 4, and Week 6.

Results: Both groups experienced significant declines in the mean number of bleeding sites from Baseline at all time points, evident as early as Week 2. Bleeding sites continued to decline throughout the trial in the experimental group, whereas they showed an increasing trend between Weeks 2 and 6 in the control group. The experimental group had 55% fewer bleeding sites at Week 2, 85% fewer bleeding sites at Week 4, and 98% fewer bleeding sites at Week 6 (p<0.0001 for all) as compared to the control group. At Week 6, 84% of participants in the experimental group had no bleeding, while all participants in the control group had bleeding.

Conclusion: The experimental oral hygiene group showed significantly greater reductions in gingival bleeding than the control oral hygiene group, with benefits seen as early as Week 2 and increasing over the six-week study.