Gingival and mucosal reactions after intensive chlorhexidine gel treatment with or without oral hygiene measures

Abstract – The aim of this study was to elucidate whether soft tissue reactions during chlorhexidine (CHX) treatment might be associated with meticulous oral hygiene measures. A commercially available 1% chlorhexidine digluconate gel (Hibitane Dental Gel) was applied in a custom tray for the mandibular arch, 10 min daily, for 14 days. A split mouth approach was used to allow evaluation of the effect of oral hygiene measures with toothbrush, toothpaste, and dental floss on one side of the arch. During the treatment period, 8 out of 12 subjects developed gingival and/or mucosal reactions appearing as white patches or ulcerations. Both the gingival reactions on the buccal marginal gingiva and the mucosal reactions near the margin of the custom tray occurred only when the gel treatment was combined with meticulous oral hygiene measures. The white patches, which could easily be detached, leaving ulcerated areas, consisted entirely of stratified squamous epithelium. The findings suggest that intensive treatment with chlorhexidine gel, in individually fitted custom trays, combined with meticulous oral hygiene measures may induce toxic effects on the surface layers of the gingiva and mucosa.     

The effect of topical application of chlorhexidine on the bacterial colonization of the teeth and gingiva

Six dental students participated in two experiments throughout which they ceased all active oral hygiene measures. In the first experiment a 2 per cent solution of chlorhexidine and in the second a placebo solution was applied topically each day to all teeth. Throughout both 15 day experiments the bacterial colonization of the attached gingiva, gingival margin and tooth surface was examined using impression preparations and a microcolony technique. Bacterial colonization of the tooth surface occurred rapidly using the placebo and a bacterial plaque accumulated at the gingival margin as described in previous no-oral-hygiene experiments. No bacterial colonization of the tooth surface was observed throughout the chlorhexidine experiment. The bacterial flora of the attached gingiva remained unaltered, but at the gingival margin an increase in the numbers of gram negative cocci and rods occurred between days 5 and 10. A tendency was noted for this flora to revert back to gram positive by the end of the experiment. It is concluded that the inhibition of plaque formation by chlorhexidine is primarily a result of its ability to interact with the organic or inorganic components of the tooth surface.     

Inhibition of experimental caries by plaque prevention

abstract – The purpose of this study was to test the hypothesis that a frequent intake of sucrose does not produce caries if the teeth are regularly treated with an antibacterial agent. Twenty-four students with clean teeth and normal gingivae were assigned to one of the following three groups: (1) eight individuals ceased all active oral hygiene measures and rinsed 9 times daily with 50% sucrose, (2) eight students refrained from all active oral hygiene procedures, rinsed 9 times daily with sucrose and twice daily with 10 ml 0.2% chlorhexidine gluconate, (3) the third group consisted of two subgroups each comprising 4 students. One subgroup ceased all oral hygiene procedures and rinsed twice daily with 0.2% chlorhexidine gluconate. The other was instructed to practice meticulous tooth brushing twice daily. The experiment lasted for 22 days. The group who rinsed with sucrose showed heavy plaque accumulation, those who rinsed with sucrose + chlorhexidine showed a drastic reduction in the formation of plaque. In the subgroup rinsing with chlorhexidine only and in that performing good oral hygiene, plaque was non-existent. The gingival state essentially paralleled the plaque formation. The sucrose group showed a definite increase in Caries Index. No significant changes occurred in the group rinsing with sucrose + chlorhexidine, with chlorhexidine only, or in the group performing good oral hygiene. It is concluded that prevention of plaque formation inhibits the development of gingivitis and dental caries, even with frequent rinses of sucrose.     

Effects on plaque and gingivitis of a chlorhexidine dental gel in the mentally retarded

The effectiveness of a 1% chlorhexidine-containing dental gel on dental plaque and gingival health was evaluated over a period of 6 months using a double-blind procedure. One hundred and seventeen mentally retarded subjects aged between 10-17 years resident in an institution were divided into two groups. One group was assigned daily brushing with the 1% chlorhexidine gel, the other group a placebo quinine sulfate-containing gel. No other form of oral hygiene was used during the experimental period. Assessment of dental plaque accumulation and gingivitis was made at 0, 1, 3, and 6 months. An assessment was also made 2 months after the gel was withdrawn from use and normal toothbrushing procedures resumed. No clinical or statistical advantage was noted in plaque or gingivitis scores in the group receiving chlorhexidine treatment during the 6-month period. This group showed a higher prevalence of tooth staining. It was concluded that periodontal severity and poor oral hygiene exceeded the plaque- and gingivitis-preventing potential of chlorhexidine.     

Hemangioendothelioma of the gingiva

The hemangioendothelioma is a benign neoplasm, rarely observed in the mouth. In the literature, reports on the treatment and on the therapeutic results are lacking. This type of gingival neoplasm was observed in a young adult male. It was located in the attached gingiva in the upper and in the lower jaw, covering almost the entire coronal part of the anterior teeth. An exhaustive internal and neurological examination revealed no associated general disease. The gingival biopsies displayed the typical characteristics of a hemangioendothelioma: proliferation of the blood vessels, with a reduced lumen surrounded by swollen endothelial cells. The treatment consisted of a meticulous mechanical plaque control, chlorhexidine rinses, gingivectomy procedures and a monthly professional prophylaxis. 3 years after the periodontal treatment, the gingival structures remained clinically healthy. In the biopsies, only a small amount of inflammatory cells could be detected. This report shows a case of benign gingival neoplasms of unknown etiology in which meticulous plaque control, combined with extensive gingivectomies and repeated professional prophylaxis may have prevented or, at least, retarded the recurrence of the lesion.     

Gingival bleeding after Chlorhexidine mouthrinses

Abstract During a clinical trial for evaluating the antiplaque effect of two flavoured chlorhexidine rinses, the observation was made that bleeding after gentle massage of the gingival margin occurred more often after chemical than after mechanical oral hygiene measures. In order to ascertain the validity of this unexpected observation, the same dental students participated in a repetition of the trial 18 months later. The results of the two trials indicate that gingival bleeding after gentle massage of the margin with the side of a periodontal probe actually occurs more frequently after rinsing twice daily with a 0.2% aqueous Chlorhexidine solution for 1 week than after meticulous mechanical oral hygiene measures during an equally long time period. The average frequency of bleeding, in per cent of all examined gingival units, ranged from. 1.3% after mechanical cleaning of the teeth to 5.4% after rinsing with Chlorhexidine for 1 week. Neither the frequency of bleeding nor the difference between mechanical and chemical plaque control were considered to be of clinical significance. Further microbiological and histological studies are being conducted in an attempt to clarify the reason for the observed bleeding tendency.     

Effects of chlorhexidine gel in a group of maintenance-care patients with poor oral hygiene

An intraindividual double-blind crossover study was designed in order to see if a 1% chlorhexidine gel used twice a day could substitute for ordinary toothpaste in group of maintenance-care patients with poor oral hygiene. Twenty patients from a student clinic participated, each with a long history of maintenance-care problems. A 4-week test period with chlorhexidine gel or placebo gel was followed by an intermediate period with ordinary toothpaste, and then by another 4-week test period. Plaque-covered surfaces (%), bleeding sites (%) and extraneous staining (color slides) were recorded at each sitting. The results demonstrated that brushing with chlorhexidine gel significantly influenced both the oral hygiene level and the gingival inflammation. The only adverse effect observed was a marked increase in the amount of brown staining, especially on the facial surfaces of the nonsmokers. In this short-term study, the staining was not considered cosmetically unacceptable by the patients. The total amount of staining was always greater in smokers than in nonsmokers.     

Efficacy of mouthrinses in inhibiting dental plaque and gingivitis in man

The aim of the present trial was to determine the effect of different mouthwash preparations used as supplements to regular oral hygiene measures on dental plaque and gingivitis in humans. 96 volunteers were recruited for the study. Following a baseline examination, each subject was given a careful prophylaxis, following which the mouthrinse regimens were initiated. During the 6 weeks of trial, the subjects continued to exercise their regular non-supervised, self-performed plaque control measures. The 96 volunteers were assigned either to 1 or 3 different treatment groups or to a control group according to a randomized code. The members of the control group and the listerine group rinsed with 20 ml of the mouthrinse for 30 s, twice daily, while the members of the chlorhexidine groups (using either a 0.2% or a 0.1% solution) rinsed with 10 ml of the antiseptic solution for 60 s twice daily. Examinations regarding extrinsic stain and plaque were performed at baseline and after 3 and 6 weeks, while the conditions of the gingiva were examined at baseline and after 6 weeks. Extrinsic stain was evaluated using the Lobene index, plaque was assessed by the Turesky modification of Quigley-Hein index and the gingival condition was examined using the gingival index system of Loe & Silness. The results of the trial demonstrated that the 3 active mouthwash preparations used as supplements to regular tooth cleaning measures markedly improved both the oral hygiene status and the gingival conditions of the participating human volunteers, compared to the control rinse.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Effects of chlorhexidine mouthrinse on oral health in patients with acute leukemia

The effects of chlorhexidine mouthrinses, used as a supplement to mechanical oral hygiene measures, were studied in patients receiving treatment for acute leukemia. Twenty-eight patients were randomly divided into two groups. During two periods, when the patients were taking medication for the leukemia, one group rinsed with a 0.2% chlorhexidine solution twice daily and the other group did not. Chlorhexidine had no effects of any clinical significance on parameters such as number of days with fever, number of oral lesions, plaque score, gingival bleeding score, or occurrence of candidiasis. There was, however, an increased number of patients who had a burning sensation in the mouth, and a tendency toward increased numbers of salivary enterococci, enterobacteria, and/or Pseudomonas in patients who rinsed with chlorhexidine. The results of the present study do not support the use of chlorhexidine mouthrinses in patients who are able to maintain good oral hygiene by mechanical means during their illness.     

The effect of a chlorhexidine regimen on de novo plaque formation

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of a pretreatment regimen that combined meticulous mechanical tooth cleaning with the daily use of chlorhexidine (rinse, gargle and tongue application) on de novo plaque formation and on the recolonization of various microbiological species in plaque and saliva during a 4-day period of no oral hygiene. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Ten subjects aged 24-36 years with gingivitis were recruited. The study was designed as a double blind cross-over clinical trial including two phases. Each experimental phase comprised one preparatory period of 7 days and one plaque accumulation period of 4 days. During the preparatory period, the volunteers (i) performed meticulous mechanical tooth cleaning using toothbrush and dentifrice and (ii) were, in addition, given two sessions of professional tooth cleaning (PTC) The final PTC was delivered after bacterial sampling had been made on Day 0. In the Control group, no additional plaque control measures were included. In the Test group, the participants in addition to the mechanical measures (i) rinsed twice daily, for 60 s each time with a 0.2% chlorhexidine solution, (ii) gargled twice daily for 10 s with the chlorhexidine preparation, and finally (iii) brushed the dorsum of the tongue for 60 s, twice daily, with a 1.0% chlorhexidine gel. During the 4-day plaque accumulation period, the participants abstained from all mechanical and chemical plaque control measures. On Days 0, 1, 2 and 4 the quantity and quality of plaque formed was assessed by clinical means and by DNA probe techniques. The microbiota of the saliva was studied in samples obtained on Days 0 and 4. RESULTS: It was demonstrated that chlorhexidine used as a mouthrinse combined with gargling and tongue application during the preparatory period significantly retarded the amount of plaque that formed on tooth surfaces during the following 4 days of no oral hygiene. Further, the number of microorganisms present in the biofilm representing Days 0, 1 and 2 of the "plaque accumulation period" was apparently affected by the use of the antiseptic. Among the microorganisms influenced by the chlorhexidine regimen, a substantial number belonged to the genus Actinomyces. It was also observed that the adjunctive use of chlorhexidine reduced the number of bacteria present in saliva at the end of the preparatory period (i.e. on Day 0). After 4 days of no oral hygiene, the microbiota of the newly formed plaque in the Test and Control groups had many features in common. CONCLUSION: Habitat is critical in controlling the bacterial composition of the dental biofilm. The microbiota will tend to go back to the one that is characteristic of a given subject, once chemical antimicrobial means are withdrawn.     

Professional prophylaxis and its effect on the periodontium of full-banded orthodontic patients

The effect of professional prophylaxis on the periodontium was studied in 14 adolescent orthodontic patients while under active treatment using a split-mouth experimental design. A full-banded appliance was used on all of the patients. The following variables were examined: plaque registration, gingival index, gingival migration, and width of the attached gingiva. Professional rubber-cup prophylaxis was performed on the test side of all patients together with reinforced oral hygiene instruction on a monthly basis. Measurements for the plaque registration, gingival index, gingival migration, and the width of the attached gingiva were recorded at the initial visit (baseline records), the 6-month evaluation, and the 10-month evaluation. Monthly registrations were completed for the plaque deposits and gingival inflammation at each of the 11 visits. All measurements were taken at the midfacial surface of the selected teeth. Four conclusions can be drawn from the findings of this study: the presence of an orthodontic appliance did not result in an increase of plaque accumulation or gingival inflammation for the full-banded orthodontic patient; monthly oral hygiene instruction was effective in significantly reducing the amount of visible plaque and gingival inflammation; monthly rubber-cup prophylaxis had a significant effect in reducing the gingival enlargement routinely associated with a fixed orthodontic appliance; and the width of attached gingiva showed no significant change throughout the course of the study.     

Effects of personal oral hygiene and subgingival scaling on bleeding interdental gingiva

The aim of this study was to determine the effects of personal oral hygiene and subgingival scaling on bleeding interdental gingiva. The Eastman Interdental Bleeding Index (EIBI) was used to clinically evaluate interdental gingival status. Forty-seven bleeding interdental sites in 47 patients were divided into three groups. Sites in Group I bled on stimulation with wooden interdental cleaners. Groups II and III initially bled but were converted to nonbleeding with oral hygiene alone or oral hygiene combined with subgingival scaling, respectively. Interdental gingival biopsies were obtained and subjected to morphometric analysis to compare the three groups. The findings from this study indicated that: (A) personal oral hygiene reduced the magnitude and extent of the interdental inflammatory lesion; (B) subgingival scaling plus oral hygiene decreased the interdental inflammatory lesion to a greater extent than oral hygiene alone; (C) significant repair of the interdental lesion occurred within four weeks; and (D) the EIBI was an effective method for monitoring the effects of therapy directed towards resolution of the interdental inflammatory lesion.     

Self-reported gingival conditions and self-care in the oral health of Danish women during pregnancy

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of the present study was to describe the self-assessment of gingival health conditions in pregnant women, their oral hygiene behaviour and dental visiting habits, and to analyse self-care practices of pregnant women in relation to perceived gingival problems. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study group comprised 1935 pregnant women living in two areas of Denmark consecutively recruited from August 1998 to March 1999. The survey data were based on telephone interviews. Questions in the interview concerned general health, lifestyles, socioeconomic conditions, gingival conditions, oral hygiene and utilisation of dental health services. RESULTS: One-third of the study population perceived signs of gingival inflammation; 5% of the pregnant women assessed their gingiva as poor, while 95% reported good or "normal" gingival condition. Ninety six per cent brushed their teeth at least twice a day and nine out of 10 were regular users of the dental-care system. Twenty-seven per cent of those women with pregnancy gingivitis responded to the symptoms by, for example, seeing a dentist or intensifying the oral hygiene habits. CONCLUSION: Despite a high level of self-efficacy among the pregnant women as for oral health and oral health care combined with a high level of oral hygiene and dental visiting habits, there seems to be a substantial need for increased awareness of gingival oral health.     

固定正畸治疗中口腔保健的临床研究

目的 评估口腔卫生宣教及0．12％洗必泰溶液漱口两因素在固定正畸治疗中对口腔保健的作用。方法 45例牙周健康的固定正畸病例随机分为3组，在矫治开始后1、2、4月对所有病例进行菌斑指数及牙龈指数测定。结果 口腔卫生宣教组与口腔卫生宣教 0．12％洗必泰溶液漱口组的菌斑指数及牙龈指数升高幅度明显低于对照组，口腔卫生宣教的两组间差异无显著性。结论 口腔卫生宣教是正畸患者口腔保健的重要内容，有效的刷牙尤为重要，洗必泰溶液漱口对口腔保健有一定效果，可以选择性使用。     

A combined treatment regimen for desquamative gingivitis in patients with oral lichen planus

BACKGROUND: Chronic desquamative gingivitis (DG) is a condition characterized by erythema, ulceration, and desquamation of the free and attached gingiva, usually expression of a district-systemic disease, such as oral lichen planus (OLP). METHODS: A combined protocol of oral hygiene and topic corticosteroid therapy was applied in 30 patients with DG associated with OLP. Plaque index (PI) and bleeding on probing (BoP) were evaluated at baseline and after 3 months. RESULTS: PI scoring was significantly lower after treatment in anterior, posterior, and all sites (P < 0.0001) as well as in vestibular and lingual ones (P < 0.0001 and P = 0.0001, respectively). BoP measures were found to be reduced significantly to 22.94% in a full-mouth evaluation (P < 0.0001; OR = 2.633; 95% CI: 2.2685-3.0561) as well as in each specific site (P < 0.0001). CONCLUSION: This clinical trial validated the efficacy, in patients with DG associated with OLP, of a protocol based on professional oral hygiene and self-performed plaque control measures in improving of gingival health status.     

The effect of oral physiotherapy on Dilantin gingival hyperplasia

Gingival hyperplasia was studied in 13 boys with epilepsy living in a state hospital. Boys were selected on the basis of having gingival hyperplasia, having all teeth between cuspids (upper and lower), having no occlusal abnormality and being cooperative. After gingivectomy, regrowth of gingiva was compared around lateral incisors on one side of the mouth having operator-assisted oral hygiene with that around lateral incisors on the other side of the mouth without operator-assisted oral hygiene. Regrowth of tissue was documented by precise photogrammetry. Oral hygiene, gingival inflammation and crevicular fluid were monitored. Less inflammation, less crevicular fluid and less regrowth of gingival tissues occurred around teeth subjected to good oral hygiene. Precise periodic photographic documentation of the clinical status of patients during studies such as this is considered very valuable.     

A 6-month home usage trial of a 1% chlorhexidine toothpaste

Abstract Research and development has been aimed towards the development of toothpastes for oral hygiene and gingival health benefits. The most effective antiplaque agent to date, chlorhexidine. is difficult to formulate into active toothpaste products. Despite some encouraging findings for experimental chlorhexidine toothpastes, there are to date no commercially available products. Based on positive findings from an experimental gingivitis study, this investigation evaluated 2 chlorhexidine toothpastes, one with fluoride, as adjuncts to oral hygiene. The study was a double–blind controlled, parallel, balanced group design, extending over 6 months. A total of 297 volunteers commenced the study after screening for a minimum acceptance level of gingivitis. At baseline, 6, 12 and 24 weeks, stain, gingival, bleeding and plaque indices were recorded, together with a calculus index at 6, 12 and 24 weeks. After a baseline prophylaxis, volunteers used the allocated product 2 × per day, with no other oral hygiene instructions given. Plaque, gingival and bleeding scores improved in all 3 groups, but to an overall significantly greater extent in the active groups. However, staining and calculus indices were significantly increased in the active compared to the control group. If the local side-effects of chlorhexidine are considered to be acceptable, these chlorhexidine toothpastes could be recommended for the same clinical applications as other chlorhexidine products. The apparent compatibility of fluoride with chlorhexidine in the one product may be pertinent to caries prevention.     

Gingival bleeding after chlorhexidine rinses with or without mechanical oral hygiene

In a previous paper a slight increase in gingival bleeding tendency was reported after the use of chlorhexidine rinses in dental students with clinically healthy gingivae. For further clarification of this finding the study was repeated using a split mouth approach. 30 dental students brushed the teeth in either the left or the right side of their mouth twice daily during a 7-day period. After each brushing, they rinsed for 1 min with 10 ml of a 0.2% chlorhexidine digluconate solution. Both the Plaque Index (P1I) scores and the bleeding tendency after massage of the gingival margin were low at the initial examination. The low P1I scores at baseline were further reduced on both sides of the jaws. On the side which was only rinsed the P1I scores were higher than on the side of combined mechanical and chemical cleaning. The gingival bleeding tendency was found to decrease on the brushed side and to increase on the side which was only rinsed. An increased bleeding tendency was most often observed in those individuals whose gingivae were the healthiest at baseline. A SEM analysis of the 2 sides of the dentition indicated that bleeding after chlorhexidine rinses may be associated with irritation from debris which, after the 7-day period of no mechanical oral hygiene measures, seemed to obliterate the gingival sulcus.     

The effects of a 0.2% chlorhexidine gluconate mouthrinse on plaque, toothstaining and candida in aphthous ulcer patients

Despite the known effectiveness of 0.2% chlorhexidine gluconate mouthwash in preventing plaque formation, relatively few studies have assessed adjunctive benefit to normal unsupervised oral hygiene measures. Furthermore, there have been few accurate measurements of toothstaining in the presence of normal oral hygiene and little data of effects on oral candidal carriage. This study was a double-blind placebo-controlled cross-over study of a 0.2% chlorhexidine gluconate mouthwash used 3 times daily on plaque, staining and candidal carriage in a group of recurrent aphthous ulcer suffers who maintained normal oral hygiene measures. At the end of 2 6-week treatment periods, baseline plaque scores were reduced by active and placebo mouthwashes. Chlorhexidine significantly reduced plaque compared to the placebo. Staining has markedly and significantly increased during chlorhexidine rinsing. Candidal carriage was present in 22.2% of this group and there was no significant effect of chlorhexidine on the mean number of candidal colonies. The distribution of plaque and staining by tooth was plotted and observationally studied. Baseline and placebo treatment plaque distributions indicated the considerable relevance of toothbrushing behaviour for plaque distribution. The effects of toothbrushing on plaque distribution were minimised during the use of chlorhexidine. Staining associated with chlorhexidine showed a distribution again suggesting the influence of toothbrushing. In conclusion, chlorhexidine has significant adjunctive effects on plaque inhibition in the presence of normal unsupervised oral hygiene, but toothbrushing did not prevent toothstaining.     

Randomized controlled trial of professional at-home tooth whitening in teenagers

A randomized controlled clinical trial was conducted to compare two professional at-home tooth whitening systems in a teenage population. Informed consent and child assent were obtained from 60 teenagers aged 12-17 (mean age = 14.8). After baseline measurements, subjects were randomized to one of two groups, using either 14% hydrogen peroxide whitening strips or 10% carbamide peroxide in a custom bleaching tray. Strips were used for 30 minutes twice daily, while the tray was worn overnight. Treatment took place for 14 days sequentially, first on the maxillary arch and then on the mandibular arch; all use was unsupervised. Efficacy was measured objectively by L*a*b* color change from digital images obtained at baseline and end of treatment, using combined color measures for both arches. Both professional whitening systems had significant (p < 0.0001) reductions in yellowness (Deltab*) and increased lightness (DeltaL*) after two weeks of treatment on each arch. At the end of treatment, Deltab* or DeltaL* did not differ significantly between the groups (p > 0.28). Tooth sensitivity and mild oral irritation represented the most common adverse events, with only one subject discontinuing treatment as a result. Teenagers who used either bleaching method for two weeks experienced significant tooth whitening without serious adverse events.