Effect of a multichannel oral irrigator on periodontal health and the oral microbiome.

Scientific reports. 2023;13(1):12043

Plain language summary

Oral biofilms are the primary cause of dental caries and periodontal diseases. This RCT looked at the effect of a multichannel oral irrigator (MCOI) (a new oral hygiene device which injects clean water onto the teeth at an angle of 45°) on periodontal health in 29 healthy participants randomly divided into two groups. Saliva samples were analysed in the MCOI group and the control group and changes in the oral microbiota investigated with a focus on gingival inflammation. It was assumed that water irrigation using this new device may lower the accumulation of oral biofilms. However, the effectiveness of this new device in decreasing dental plaque was not determined because the MCOI group showed accumulation of plaque in the oral cavity and increased levels of opportunistic pathogens called Captocytopaga species involved in periodontal disease. Streptococcus species also showed an increase in the MCOI group and other bacteria were reduced. The authors agree that these conflicting trends imply the need for a longitudinal study over a longer period as three days was too short to assess gingival status change, let alone detect any changes to the periodontal state. Overall the oral microbiome and oral hygiene is important and relevant to health as certain patients with low dexterity such as the elderly and those with disabilities may struggle with thorough plaque removal so assisted devices to clean the oral cavity are needed. Furthermore this can also apply to patients with Alzheimer disease, dementia and autism.

Abstract

Oral biofilms or dental plaques are one of the major etiological factors for diverse oral diseases. We aimed to evaluate the effect of a multichannel oral irrigator (MCOI) on periodontal health in 29 participants randomly divided into two groups: the MCOI group and the control group. To evaluate the effect of the MCOI on periodontal health, the modified Quigley Hein Plaque Index (PI), Mühlemann-Son Sulcus Bleeding Index (SBI), bleeding on probing (BOP), and swelling were evaluated and compared before and after MCOI use for 3 days. Although PI and SBI showed statistically significant increases in the control group, the MCOI group showed no significant changes in either parameter. Moreover, the percentage of BOP was significantly lower in the MCOI group. Saliva samples were analyzed by 16s rRNA amplicon sequencing to investigate changes in the oral microbiome. Sequencing results showed that Porphyromonas spp. were significantly increased in the control group, whereas no significant change was detected in the MCOI group. Using the MCOI, enriched populations and functional pathways were detected in pioneer species comprising non-mutans streptococci. These findings provide evidence of the effectiveness of the MCOI in maintaining periodontal health and a healthy microbial ecology in the oral cavity.

Lifestyle medicine

Patient Centred Factors : Triggers/Oral bacteria
Environmental Inputs : Microorganisms
Personal Lifestyle Factors : Not applicable
Functional Laboratory Testing : Saliva
Bioactive Substances : Oral bacteria

Methodological quality

Jadad score : 2
Allocation concealment : No

Metadata