Introduction: This randomised, single-blind, controlled study aimed to compare daily adjunctive use of an ultrasonic water irrigation device to dental floss in controlling plaque and gingival inflammation in patients with gingivitis.
Methods: Participants were randomly allocated to either daily use of an ultrasonic water irrigator or dental floss as an adjunct to manual toothbrushing for 4 weeks, with periodontal assessment repeated at 1 and 4 weeks after baseline (Rustogi Modified Navy Plaque Index [PI], Loe and Silness Gingival Index [GI] and bleeding on marginal probing [BOMP]).
Results: Sixty-two participants completed the investigation. Statistically significant reductions in total and marginal PI at Weeks 1 and 4 were noted in both groups compared to baseline (p < 0.05) with no significant differences between groups. BOMP and GI scores were likewise significantly reduced in both groups at Weeks 1 and 4 compared to baseline (p < 0.01). However, at Week 4, those using the ultrasonic water irrigator showed a significantly greater reduction in GI scores when compared to the floss group (-0.35 ± 0.26 vs. -0.16 ± 0.25, respectively, p < 0.01) and a significantly greater reduction in BOMP scores when compared to floss (-0.26 ± 0.12 vs. -0.15 ± 0.15, respectively, p < 0.01). Those using the ultrasonic water irrigator also reported easier usage scores (p < 0.05) when compared to the floss group.
Conclusion: Daily use of the ultrasonic water irrigator resulted in significantly greater reductions in gingival inflammation (gingival index and BOMP) than dental floss after 4 weeks, whereas plaque removal was similarly effective using the irrigator or floss.
Keywords: dental devices—Home care; dental floss; dental plaque; gingival inflammation; gingivitis; water irrigation.
© 2024 The Author(s). International Journal of Dental Hygiene published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.