A new management strategy for the treatment of streptococcal gingivitis: A pilot study

Abstract

Objective: To demonstrate a supportive treatment option based on microorganism's growth characteristics.

Methods: This study was conducted at Ordu University, Faculty of Dentistry, Turkey, between January and April, 2017, comprising patients whose periodontal parameters and saliva pH scores were measured before and after the treatments. The patients were divided into two equal groups. Group I underwent routine periodontal treatment methods for streptococcal gingivitis, while a supportive treatment that involved an antacid chewing tablet two times a day for a week based on the microorganism's growth characteristics was used on patients in Group II. SPSS 11.5 was used for data analysis.

Results: There were 16 patients in the study with an average age of 27.90 +/- 5.54 years. The periodontal index values progressively decreased for all patients post-treatment. However, the decrease of gingival index values in Group I was significantly higher than Group II (p<0.05). The decrease in the oral pH was statistically significant after the periodontal treatment procedures with supportive method (p<0.001).

Conclusion: The use of antacids in addition to conventional periodontal treatment may be effective in the treatment of oral streptococcal infections.