Effects of a novel dye containing toothpaste versus regular fluoridated toothpaste for supragingival biofilm reduction in patients with chronic gingivitis: A Randomized Controlled Trial

AIM: To compare the effects of a plaque disclosing toothpaste with a regular fluoridated toothpaste for supragingival biofilm reduction in patients with chronic gingivitis. MATERIALS AND METHODS : This study was a randomized controlled trial with a parallel design. Forty patients, both males and females aged 18-25 years with chronic generalized gingivitis (N=40) were randomly allocated to two groups of twenty each (n=20), using lottery method. Participants in the experimental group brushed with a plaque disclosing toothpaste, while participants in the control group brushed with regular fluoridated toothpaste. Clinically, biofilm was measured using Silness & Loe Plaque Index, both at baseline and at follow up visits by two assessors who were blinded to group allocation. Adjunctly, intraoral photographs were taken for Digital Plaque Image Analysis of the remaining dental biofilm in the upper and lower anterior labial tooth surfaces, and calculated based on the area of stained pixels. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 22. Mean plaque scores between the groups were compared using independent sample t-test and p<0.05 was considered significant. RESULTS: Data of all the 40 participants were analyzed as they were no drop outs. No significant differences were found in the mean plaque scores between the two groups (p=0.059) at the end of the study. Similarly, Digital Plaque Image Analysis showed no significant difference in the mean plaque scores between the groups (p= 0.93). CONCLUSION: This study showed that there are no additional benefits of using a plaque disclosing toothpaste, in enhancing the removal of the supragingival dental biofilm during routine oral hygiene maintenance.