Oral hygiene revisited. The clinical effect of a prolonged oral hygiene phase prior to periodontal therapy in periodontitis patients. A randomized clinical study

Abstract Aim The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of a 3‐month strict oral hygiene phase on key parameters of periodontitis: plaque, bleeding on probing (BOP) and probing pocket depth (PPD). Materials and Methods Forty‐four patients with severe periodontal disease were randomly allocated to a test or a control group. The test group completed a 3‐month strict oral hygiene phase. The control group did not receive any instructions or motivation on oral hygiene until after the 3‐month period. Plaque, BOP and PPDs were registered on four sites of each tooth at baseline and after 3 months in both groups, as well as after the postponed hygiene phase in the control group. Results A statistically significant and profound reduction in plaque, BOP and PPD was observed after the 3 months in the test group. No change to the better occurred in the control group. Conclusion A 3‐month strict oral hygiene phase in patients referred for periodontal therapy reduced plaque, BOP and pocket depth to such an extent that it could affect therapy planning.