University of New Mexico Dental Hygiene

Not Applicable

Completed

• Conditions: Oral Plaque Biofilm

• Registration Number: NCT03876353
• Lead Sponsor: University of New Mexico

Brief Summary

To evaluate the efficacy of flossing in the removal of oral plaque biofilm.

Detailed Description

Flossing is universally recognized in the dental profession as a primary component of oral hygiene. Data supports the correlation between flossing and disease prevention by ways of reducing gingival bleeding, gingivitis, and dental caries.(1, 2) However, a recent AP publication (3) questioning the validity of flossing as an efficacious preventative method has warranted that oral healthcare professionals address certain underlying assumptions about the practice. Specifically, there is a clear gap in the number of clinical effectiveness trials that measure the ability of flossing for the sole purpose of oral plaque biofilm removal. Such studies are urgently needed. At this moment we can only assume flossing's correlation with disease prevention also links flossing with effectively removing oral plaque biofilm. Due to the current research gaps, additional studies must be performed to address the needs highlighted by the absence of substantive research in this field.

Our long term goal is to evaluate if flossing is an effective oral health aid in the removal of oral plaque biofilm. The overall objective of this application is to provide a consistent measurement to confirm whether flossing is an effective oral care technique in removing disease causing oral plaque biofilm . The rationale that underlies this proposal comes from the many professional associations, such as the American Dental Association, American Dental Hygienists' Association, and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, that endorse flossing as an effective home care routine in oral disease prevention. Many oral health professionals would argue that flossing is effective in plaque removal, as they have seen the results anecdotally year after year, yet it is clear that additional studies are needed to move what is known anecdotally to what is known scientifically.

Study Timeline

• Study Start: 2019-01-07
• Primary Completion: 2019-02-11
• Study Completion: 2019-02-11
• Study First Submitted: 2019-02-26
• Status Verified: 2019-03
• Study First Submitted QC: 2019-03-13
• Last Update Submitted: 2019-03-13
• Study First Posted: 2019-03-15
• Last Update Posted: 2019-03-15

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: COMPLETED
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 72

Inclusion Criteria

• Any persons 18 years of age and able to consent

Exclusion Criteria

A person being edentulous or who have teeth that do not contact Allergy to erythrosine dye (red #3)

Study & Design

• Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Design: SINGLE_GROUP

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
measure removal of oral plaque biofilm	15 minutes	Evaluate the correlation between flossing and oral plaque biofilm formation

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Universsity of New Mexico; 🇺🇸 Albuquerque, New Mexico, United States