Abstract
The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect a chewable tablet containing sodium flouride and lauroyl sodium sulfate on removing plaque and inhibiting gingival inflammation. A randomized parallel study was designed. 100 voluteers participated in the study. There were two test groups each with 30 subject. Test group A was instructed to brush once in the morning, and to use the tablet once in the afternoon and once in the evening. Test group B was instructed to use the tablet three times a day without brushing. There were two control groups each with 20 subjects. Control group A was instructed to brush once in the morning only. Control group B was instructed not to brush all. Two weeks before the test period, the subjects received through tooth cleaning and polishing. At baseline, GI, PI, BOP, and GCF of the Ramfjord teeth were measured in all groups. Bacteria culture was done with the plaque sampled from tooth with the deepest pocket. After 5 days, clinical indices were measured and the bacterial culture was repeated. Control group B was dropped from the study after this period. All the other groups remained and the indices and the culture was repeated after 2 weeks, and 3weeks. Also whether the oral mucosa showed signs of irritation was monitored throughout the test period. Test group A showed less PI, GI, BOP, probing depth, GCF than test group B or control group A. Especially, PI and the BOP was significantly less than that of the group that was instructed to brush once a day. This implies that the added use of this tablet aids in plaque removal in people who brush just once a day. Test group A showed increase of cocci, decrease of motile rods, and decrease of spirochetes after 14-21 days. And this was significantly different from the control group A. At no time of the test period did any of the subjects show signs of irritation of the oral mucosa or adverse reactions. Following conclusions could be obtained from this study. This chewable tablet for enhanced oral hygiene could be used as an adjunct to oral hygiene in people who do not brush adequately. The use of this tablet decreased the number of subgingival bacteria, and this could be effective in plaque removal and for prevention of gingival inflammation.