The use of interdental brushes or oral irrigators as adjuvants to conventional oral hygiene associated with recurrence of periodontitis in periodontal maintenance therapy: A 6-year prospective study

Background: Prospective studies investigating the influence of adjuvants to oral hygiene procedures on the recurrence of periodontitis (RP) during periodontal maintenance therapy (PMT) programs have not been previously reported. The aim of this study was to compare the effect of oral irrigator devices or interdental brushes as adjuncts to toothbrushing associated with dental flossing to improving periodontal condition and reducing RP among individuals under PMT.

Methods: From a 6-year prospective PMT cohort study (n = 268), 142 individuals who attended at least one PMT visit within 12 months were determined to be eligible. According to oral hygiene adjuvants use, they were categorized into three groups: 1) manual brushing/dental flossing + interdental brushes (BDF + Ib; n = 44); 2) manual brushing/dental flossing + oral irrigator (BDF + Oi; n = 36); and 3) only manual brushing/dental flossing (BDF; n = 62). Full-mouth periodontal examination and oral hygiene habits were evaluated at two time points: T1 (after active periodontal therapy) and T2 (6 years).

Results: RP was significantly higher among BDF when compared with BDF + Ib and BDF + Oi. The final logistic model in T2 for RP included the following items: manual brushing/dental flossing alone (odds ratio [OR] = 1.94); age > 50 years (OR = 1.98), smoking (OR = 3.51), bleeding on probing >30% sites (OR = 4.10), and the interaction between manual brushing/dental flossing alone and smoking (OR = 6.1). A protective effect on RP was observed in BDF + Oi individuals (OR = 0.52).

Conclusions: BDF + Ib and BDF + Oi individuals presented lower rates of RP and better periodontal condition when compared to BDF individuals. Including these adjuvants to conventional oral hygiene have shown to improve biofilm control during PMT leading to a better periodontal status maintenance.