Efficiency and Patient Compliance of Conventional Floss Over Unifloss in the Management of Gingival Health

Dental plaque is a structured biofilm harboring complex microbial communities and serves as a primary etiological factor in the progression of gingival and periodontal diseases.  Throughout history, innumerous devices and methodologies bearing different levels of efficacy have been introduced over the counter for promoting gingival health. Substantial clinical evidence shows the importance of mechanical debridement through daily tooth brushing in disrupting the plaque biofilm. However, it has been reported that tooth brushing alone is inadequate for effective plaque removal in the interdental embrasure spaces and hence the need for other adjunctive aids such as dental floss is emphasized. Over the years, the usage of dental floss as an adjunctive interdental aid has not been very successful due to its technique sensitivity, time consumption as well as lack of patient motivation and cooperation.

The purpose of the study is to assess the effect of dental floss as an adjunctive interdental aid in promoting gingival health and to compare the effect of conventional flossing technique versus floss with holder on patient compliance.

The above study may be helpful to add to the existing evidence that floss is an important adjunctive interdental aid to reduce the accumulation of plaque biofilm and gingival inflammation and thus promote gingival health.