Treatment of gingivitis is associated with reduction of systemic inflammation and improvement of oral health-related quality of life: A randomized clinical trial

Abstract

Aim: To compare the level of inflammatory markers, oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL), and gingival parameters 1 month after introduction of electric toothbrush and intensive oral hygiene manoeuvre adaptation (OHI) versus routine habits (no-OHI) in patients affected by generalized gingivitis.

Materials and methods: One hundred forty subjects with generalized gingivitis were randomized to receive either OHI or no-OHI. Full-mouth plaque/bleeding scores (FMPS/FMBS), serum high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and an oral health impact profile-14 questionnaire were collected at baseline and at 1-month follow-up visit.

Results: In the OHI, a significant FMPS and FMBS reduction (p < .01), a significant intra-group decrease in hs-CRP and IL-6 (p < .01), and a significant improvement of OHRQoL (p < .01) were noted at 1-month follow-up visit. In the no-OHI, lower-magnitude differences were noted only for oral parameters. Resolution of gingivitis varied between OHI and no-OHI (89% vs. 7%, respectively, p < .01). A logistic multivariate regression suggested that FMBS ≤8% was associated with the odds ratio of 13, having both CRP and IL-6 below the selected threshold for healthy young adults (p = .04).

Conclusions: Gingivitis resolution determined important reductions of gingival inflammation and plaque levels, as well as systemic inflammatory markers and an improvement of quality of life (NCT03848351).

Keywords: C-reactive protein; acute inflammation; gingivitis; quality of life.