Professional flossing as a diagnostic method for gingivitis in the primary dentition

Braz Oral Res. 2008 Oct-Dec;22(4):316-21. doi: 10.1590/s1806-83242008000400006.

Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate flossing as a diagnostic method for interproximal gingival bleeding in children. For this crossover study, 23 pre-schoolchildren presenting neither restorations nor approximal carious cavities and with at least 15% of gingival bleeding sites were selected. Examinations were performed at three different moments (3-4 days interval). Examinations comprised repeated measurements of two gingival indices with a 10-minute interval in the following sequences: the Ainamo & Bay Gingival Bleeding Index (GBI) followed by the Carter & Barnes flossing index (CBI); CBI followed by GBI; and GBI followed by GBI. Data analysis was performed only for the interproximal sites, considering the GBI as the gold-standard. Agreement between indices, sensitivity (SE), specificity (SP), positive (PPV) and negative predictive values (NPV) were estimated. Percentage agreements in sequences GBI-CBI, CBI-GBI and GBI-GBI were 70.3%, 76.4% and 84.5%, respectively. Validation of flossing in the first sequence (GBI-CBI) resulted in values of 0.61 (95%CI 0.53 - 0.68), 0.72 (95%CI 0.69 - 0.76), 0.33 (95%CI 0.28 - 0.39) and 0.89 (95%CI 0.86 - 0.92) respectively for SE, SP, PPV and NPV. It can be concluded that professional flossing is a useful tool in the diagnosis of interproximal gingival inflammatory status in children, especially in conditions of gingival health.

Publication types

  • Validation Study

MeSH terms

  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Cross-Over Studies
  • Dental Devices, Home Care
  • Dental Plaque / prevention & control*
  • Gingival Hemorrhage / diagnosis*
  • Gingivitis / diagnosis*
  • Gingivitis / prevention & control
  • Humans
  • Periodontal Index
  • Predictive Value of Tests
  • Sensitivity and Specificity
  • Tooth, Deciduous