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Experimental gingivitis in young and elderly individuals
Author(s) -
HolmPedersen Poul,
Agerbæk Nina,
Theilade Else
Publication year - 1975
Publication title -
journal of clinical periodontology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.456
H-Index - 151
eISSN - 1600-051X
pISSN - 0303-6979
DOI - 10.1111/j.1600-051x.1975.tb01722.x
Subject(s) - gingivitis , oral hygiene , dentistry , dental plaque , medicine , gingival sulcus , gingival inflammation
The development of experimental gingivitis was studied in young and elderly humans during a 21‐d period of oral hygiene abstention. The state of the gingiva was assessed by the Gingival Index and by measurements of the amount of gingival exudate on filter paper strips placed at the entrance of the gingival sulcus of the lower lateral incisors and cuspids. Soft deposits were assessed by the Plaque Index and by differential counts of microorganisms in gram stained smears of dento‐gingival plaque. At the end of the plaque growth period, the patients were given a thorough dental prophylaxis. Gingival condition and plaque were assessed at regular intervals during a subsequent period of controlled oral hygiene. The development of gingivitis during the oral hygiene abstention period was more rapid and more severe in old than in young individuals. Plaque accumulation was greater in the older persons. A definite difference in plaque consistency was also observed. However, microscopic counts of various types of microorganisms did not reveal any differences throughout the period of plaque accumulation. When active oral hygiene was reinstituted, the state of the gingiva rapidly returned to pre‐experimental levels in both groups. The findings of this study indicate that with age there is an altered host response to the microorganisms of the plaque.