Irrigation with 0.06% chlorhexidine in naturally occurring gingivitis. II. 6 months microbiological observations

Area of Science:

• Periodontology
• Microbiology
• Preventive Dentistry

Background:

• Gingivitis is a common inflammatory condition of the gums.
• Controlling marginal and subgingival microflora is crucial for managing gingivitis.
• Antimicrobial agents are explored for adjunctive oral hygiene therapies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the efficacy of supragingival irrigation with 0.06% chlorhexidine gluconate (CHX) in modifying oral microflora in patients with gingivitis.
• To compare CHX irrigation with CHX rinsing, water irrigation, and standard oral hygiene.

Main Methods:

• A 6-month, examiner-blind, positive/negative controlled study involving 222 patients with gingivitis.
• Four groups received different treatments: 0.06% CHX irrigation, 0.12% CHX rinse, water irrigation, or standard brushing with fluoride toothpaste.
• Plaque samples were analyzed for bacterial counts (log10 CFU) and proportions (%).

Main Results:

• Adjunctive 0.06% CHX supragingival irrigation significantly reduced Gram-negative anaerobic rods and black-pigmented Bacteroides compared to brushing alone.
• Both CHX regimens (irrigation and rinse) significantly reduced black-pigmented Bacteroides.
• CHX treatments significantly increased the proportion of Gram-positive facultative cocci compared to water irrigation at 3 months.

Conclusions:

• Supragingival irrigation with 0.06% chlorhexidine gluconate is an effective adjunctive therapy for reducing specific harmful bacteria associated with gingivitis.
• CHX irrigation offers a viable alternative or addition to CHX rinsing for improving oral microflora balance.