Gingival status during chemical plaque control with or without prior mechanical plaque removal in patients with acute myeloid leukaemia

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Abstract
The purpose of the study was to evaluate the effect of a mouthrinse regimen comprising both chemical plaque control and mechanical plaque removal. 20 adult patients with acute myeloid leukaemia were assigned to one of the following 2 regimens: (1) (group 1) mouthrinse twice daily with a 0.1% chlorhexidine solution; or (2) (group 2) the same regimen, but preceded by mechanical removal of plaque and calculus on day 1. All patients were followed for 28 days from the initiation of remission‐induction therapy. In group 2, the plaque scores remained lower than those of group 1 throughout the study, although only 3 patients remained completely free of plaque after 28 days. Gingival inflammation as judged by bleeding scores remained unchanged in group 1, whereas in group 2, the degree of inflammation was reduced from 52% (median value) on day 1 to 31% (median value) on day 28. The bleeding scores were also lower in group 2 (31%) than in group 1 (60%) on day 28. No differences were found between the 2 groups with respect to the occurrence of other oral infections. It is concluded that chemical plaque control with chlorhexidine should be preceded by mechanical removal of plaque and calculus, when used in patients with acute myeloid leukaemia and thrombocytopenia.