Effect of self-performed mechanical plaque control frequency on gingival inflammation revisited: a randomized clinical trial

Aim To evaluate the effect of self‐performed mechanical plaque control (SPC) frequency on gingival health. Methods Thirty‐nine subjects exhibiting limited gingival inflammation and minimal clinical attachment loss were enrolled in a single‐blind, parallel group, randomized clinical trial. The subjects that were divided into three groups were tasked to perform SPC (using tooth brush and dental floss) at 12, 24 or 48 h intervals. Gingival index (GI), plaque index (PlI), and gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) volume were evaluated at baseline and 30 days follow‐up. Groups were compared using anova and Tukey. Results No significant differences in mean GI change were observed between the 12 and 24 h SPC intervals from baseline to 30 days (−0.06 ± 0.13 versus 0.05 ± 0.09; p = 0.11). In contrast, the 48 h interval had significantly higher mean GI change than the 12 and 24 h intervals (0.33 ± 0.17; p = 0.001). Similarly, mean PlI change was not significantly different between the 12 and 24 h SPC intervals (0.11 versus 0.28; p = 0.15), whereas SPC at 48 h‐intervals yielded a significantly increased PlI (0.39; p = 0.001). Conclusions Self‐performed mechanical plaque control performed at 12 h or 24 h intervals appears sufficient to maintain gingival health in subjects with no or limited clinical attachment loss.