Evaluation of plaque removal efficacy of dental floss with/without chlorhexidine gel coating in patients with gingivitis-a clinical and microbological study

BACKGROUND: Chlorhexidine has shown anti-plaque and antimicrobial effects when used as a mouthwash and appears to be effective when used as a topical antiseptic agent. AIM: The present study aimed to compare the efficacy of chlorhexidine gel coated dental floss with that of uncoated dental floss. METHODS: This parallel, single-blinded, randomized controlled clinical trial Included 30 patients with moderate to severe gingivitis. The total population was randomly divided into three groups, with ten patients in each group. Group A received dental floss with 1% chlorhexidine gel, and Group B received only dental floss, while in Group C no dental floss was provided. All thirty volunteers were provided with standard toothpaste and toothbrush. Clinical parameters such as gingival index, plaque index, and bleeding index were recorded along with supragingival plaque sample collection for microbiological culture. Subjects were recalled after 15 days and clinical and microbiological analysis was performed. All parameters were re-assessed at the follow up visit after two weeks. RESULTS: All the groups showed a significant reduction in values of plaque index, gingival index, and bleeding index, as well as the microbial counts post-enrollment in the study. A significant reduction in the bleeding indices was noticed in Group A in comparison to C (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The use of dental floss coated with 1% chlorhexidine gluconate gel was effective as an interproximal aid for patients with moderate to severe gingivitis.