| 0924 Oral Health Improvement Using a Natural Tooth Cleaning Product | ||
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P. LAPEZACK1, C. MACHADO1, G.T. MILANO1, E.B. DOS SANTOS1, A.C.R. CHIBINSKI1, V.A. KOZLOWSKI, Jr.1, and J.M. GOODSON2, 1Ponta Grossa State University, Brazil, 2The Forsyth Institute, Boston, MA, USA Introduction: Alternative methods for oral cleansing are used in different parts of the world and have received a special attention because of their application in poverty areas and potential use for populations with social-economic disabilities. Objectives: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the clinical and microbiological effects of tooth cleaning using a vegetable sponge (Luffa cylindrica).Methods:Following institutional ethics committee review and approval, fifteen children (10-12 years) participated in a supervised clinical trial over a five day period. The condition of their gingiva was evaluated using the gingival bleeding index (Ainnamo & Bay, 1974) and tooth deposits were scored according to the simplified debris index (Green & Vermillion, 1964). After initial evaluation, the children received supervised tooth cleaning with a vegetable sponge three times daily for 5 days. Before clinic evaluation, after day 2 and again after 3 days, saliva and natural sponge samples were collected for microbiologic evaluation. The children were reexamined at 5 days. All clinical examination and tooth cleaning supervision was performed by one examiner. Examiner reproducibility was determined by duplicate measurements for each subject. Results:There were no significant differences in the debris scores between day 0 and day 5 (p=0.36; Chi-square test). The gingival bleeding index scores were significantly lower on day 5 (p=0.009;Fisher test ). Saliva Candida UFC/ml counts were not different after 5 days (p=0.88;Student test ). Bacterial growth on natural toothbrush samples (UFC/ml) after day 2 (=1.95x108) and day 3 (=1.86x108) were not statistically different (p=0.84). The Lactobacillus UFC/ml count in saliva samples diminished after 5 days (126.54 to 23.22; p=0.15). Conclusions:Tooth cleaning using the natural product (Luffa cylindrica) demonstrated a significant effect by reduction in bleeding scores. The potential problem of bacterial growth in the natural sponge after tooth cleaning can be controlled by disposal after each use. | ||
| Seq #117 - Malodor, Children, Cancer, Oral Hygiene, Dental Sealants 2:00 PM-4:00 PM, Thursday, 10 March 2005 Baltimore Convention Center Exhibit Hall E-F | ||
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