P.A. Versteeg

Effect of cannabis usage on the oral environment: a review

AIM To evaluate oral environmental changes in cannabis users. MATERIAL AND METHODS The MEDLINE and Cochrane Central register of controlled trails (CENTRAL) were searched up to April 2007 to identify appropriate studies. RESULTS Independent screening of 982 titles and abstracts (MEDLINE-Pubmed) and (Cochrane) papers resulted in seven eligible publications. CONCLUSION Based on the limited data, it seems justified to conclude that with increasing prevalence of cannabis use, oral health care providers should be aware of cannabis-associated oral side effects, such as xerostemia, leukoedema and an increased prevalence and density of Candida albicans.

Plaque-removing efficacy of new and used manual toothbrushes – a professional brushing study

OBJECTIVES The present study assessed whether 3-month-old used manual toothbrushes are less effective in reducing plaque scores compared with new toothbrushes with or without the use of dentifrice. MATERIAL AND METHODS The present study was performed employing a single-use, examiner-blinded, professional brushing model. Four brushing modalities were randomly allocated to one of four quadrants, that is, 3-month-old used toothbrushes and new toothbrushes both with and without the use of dentifrice. Prebrushing and post-brushing plaque scores (Quigley Hein plaque index) and gingival abrasion (GA) scores were obtained. A dental hygienist performed the professional brushing procedure. The 3-month-old used toothbrushes were assessed for wear. RESULTS No significant differences were observed among the treatments with regard to the prebrushing scores. The post-brushing plaque scores ranged from 1.59 for the new brush with dentifrice to 1.76 for the old brush with dentifrice. There was a significant difference (P = 0.036) among the four treatments regarding the old brush with dentifrice, which removed less plaque than the other treatment modalities. Regarding GA scores, no significant differences were observed. With regard to toothbrush wear after 3 months of use, the scores varied widely among the individually evaluated brushes. CONCLUSION The present study did not show a clinically relevant difference in plaque score reductions following a 2-minute brushing exercise among 3-month-old used and new manual toothbrushes. However, the wear rate of the brushes seemed to be the determining factor in loss of efficacy, rather than the age of the toothbrush. Furthermore, dentifrice did not show an additional effect on instant plaque removal.

Effectiveness of various interventions on maintenance of gingival health during 1 year – a randomized clinical trial

BACKGROUND Rinsing with the combined use of an oxygenating-agent (OA) and chlorhexidine (CHX) in addition to mechanical oral hygiene could improve and/or maintain good gingival health over a long period. METHODS This study had an examiner-blinded, randomized, six-group parallel design consisting of two-phases: a 3-week treatment phase and a subsequent 12-month experimental phase. A total of 267 subjects in good general health (≥18 years), without periodontitis, with at least five teeth per quadrant, and with moderate to advanced gingivitis were enrolled. A 3-week treatment phase was initiated to improve gingival health. Subjects were assigned to one of the six groups: two basic oral hygiene groups (Control I & II), one professional oral hygiene instruction group (OHI), one professional prophylaxis group (PP), an OA&CHX rinse group and a group receiving a combination of all regimens (COMBI group), being OHI + PP + OA&CHX. Dental plaque, gingival bleeding and staining assessments were performed at the start of the treatment phase, at baseline and at 4, 7, 10, and 12 months. RESULTS There was a significant reduction in dental plaque-scores for the OA&CHX and COMBI-group (0.51 [SD = 0.37], 0.38 [SD = 0.33] respectively) and a significant reduction in gingivitis scores for the OA&CHX and COMBI group (6.9% [SD = 14.0], 13.4% [SD = 13.4] respectively) from the start of the treatment phase to baseline. No clinically relevant changes were observed for the other four groups. After baseline, bleeding and plaque-scores increased back to a non-significant level between groups, and this level remained throughout the study. CONCLUSION OA&CHX and COMBI-group showed a clinically relevant improvement after the treatment phase in terms of dental plaque and gingival bleeding levels. At the 4-month clinical assessment, there was no longer a significant difference between groups.