Identification of inflamed gingival surfaces

Abstract

Abstract. The present study was undertaken to clarify whether visual inflammation or gingival bleeding on probing is the earlier indicator of gingivitis. A dental prophylaxis was given to 90 male students and 1 month later the gingiva adjacent to the mesio‐buccal, mid‐buccal and mid‐lingual surfaces of all teeth was evaluated. Two subsequent examinations were done at 1‐month intervals. Each gingival margin was examined visually and classified as either non‐inflamed or inflamed and these same surfaces were then probed for bleeding. The number of gingival surfaces at each examination was 6990 and, at the first examination, 16798 of these combined absence of visual inflammation and bleeding (healthy). One month later only 766 of these surfaces were still healthy. Inspection of the data from the surfaces which had changed since the first examination showed that there were a significantly greater number of surfaces which bled after probing compared to either a color change only or combined both a color change plus bleeding. The same trend was seen between the second and third examinations. It was concluded that substantial changes in healthy gingival surfaces occur in as brief a period as 1 month. When healthy gingival surfaces (no visual inflammation and no bleeding) developed clinically detectable signs under investigation, a significantly greater number manifested bleeding alone compared to either visual inflammation alone or a combination of visual inflammation plus bleeding. These findings support an emphasis on gingival bleeding indices for detection of early deviations from health.

Potential association between prediabetic conditions and gingival and/or periodontal inflammation

“…Although BOP measures are routinely carried out at dental clinical examination, BOP has not been given much attention. Gingival bleeding after stimulation of the gingival sulcus or pocket has been found to be associated with periodontal inflammation in clinical, histopathological and bacteriological aspects of the disease. Regarding the inherent ability of BOP to distinguish the disease condition, previous studies have reported a low sensitivity, but high specificity, of this measurement.…”

Subgingival Epstein‐Barr and Cytomegalovirus Occurrence in Pregnancy Gingivitis

“…BOP is easily detected clinically and, therefore, is of value for the early diagnosis and prevention of more advanced gingivitis. It was shown that BOP appeared earlier than a change in color or other visual signs of inflammation 40 . Because BOP was associated with viruses in healthy sites, BOP positivity can be interpreted as an early indication of inflammation rather than the GI, which is a visual indication of gingival inflammation.…”

Bacteraemia due to dental flossing

“…This is because the bleeding from interproximal tissue is more likely to originate from inflamed connective tissue in mid-interproximal areas where visibility is obscured (Meitner et al 1979, Abrams et al 1984, Amato et al 1986). Bleeding points in the gingivae do not correlate directly with clinical inflammation but rather precede apparent inflammation (Lenox & Kopczyk 1973).…”