Multiple enzyme-containing lozenges may be utilized in combination with regular mechanical plaque removal—rather than a substitute—as a strategy to better manage the build-up of plaque, according to new study results.
Dental plaque is the most common cause of caries, gingivitis, and periodontitis. Although skillful toothbrushing is effective at plaque removal, many patients are unable to completely remove plaque—particularly in difficult to reach areas of the oral cavity—every time they brush. As a result, research has been conducted into adjunct methods for removing and preventing plaque build-up.
In the study, published in the Journal of Dentistry, researchers assigned 24 patients to receive the lozenge or placebo 3 times daily for 7 days. They collected plaque and saliva samples from the patients in order to conduct 16S rRNA gene sequencing. The researchers noted that the patients were not permitted to undergo oral hygiene procedures during the study period. Using the Turesky-modification of the Quigley-and-Hein-Plaque-Index (TM-QHPI) as well as the Gingival Index, the researchers examined changes in de novo plaque and gingivitis development between baseline and after 1 and 7 days of the intervention.
They discovered patients who consumed the lozenges had lower de novo plaque formation after 1 day of use versus those who received a placebo compared with baseline TM-QHPI scores (P = .012). However, after 7 days of use, there were no statistically significant differences in de novo plaque accumulation between the two groups (P = .37). The researchers indicated that there were also no statistically significant differences in Gingival Index scores between both groups throughout the study period (P = .62).
Additionally, the patients who consumed the lozenges had a reduced level of species increment in the saliva—without experiencing negative effects on their oral microbiomes—compared with those who received a placebo (P = .0495). The patients who received the lozenge had a typical oral microbiome after the intervention, with Streptococcus, Veillonella, Actinomyces, and Rothia being the most common bacterial genera present in the oral cavity.
The researchers reported no adverse events related to the lozenges among the patients.
A full list of disclosures can be found in the original study.