4-Week Study of Expanded Polytetrafluoroethylene Floss and Established Gingivitis

Objectives: This randomized controlled trial was conducted to evaluate whether use of expanded polytetrafluoroethylene dental floss affects established gingivitis. Methods: A randomized, examiner-blind, 4-week clinical study (N=60) was conducted to evaluate QD use of expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (GlideŽ) with regular brushing. The study population was adults with gingivitis at 5 or more interproximal sites. All subjects were assigned a manual toothbrush and regular anticavity toothpaste, with brushing only serving as the experimental control. Treatments were partially supervised, and efficacy was measured on the right facial proximal surfaces using the Modified Gingivitis Index (MGI). Results: The study population ranged from 18-45 years of age, with males and females equally represented. All subjects made all visits and completed the 4-week study. Treatments were balanced (p=0.76) on starting gingivitis, with mean (SD) MGI scores of 3.3 (0.35) and 3.3 (0.33) in the floss+brush and brush only groups, respectively. At Week 2, gingivitis scores were lower with flossing (adjusted mean MGI = 2.8) compared to regular brushing (3.0), with treatments differing significantly (p=0.023). At Week 4, adjusted mean MGI scores were 2.5 and 2.8 in the experimental and control groups, respectively. Treatments again treatments differed significantly (p=0.003) favoring the expanded polytetrafluoroethylene floss. Conclusion: Among individuals with established gingivitis, the addition of once daily flossing with expanded polytetrafluoroethylene to daily brushing resulted in significant improvement in gingival health.