Summary :
Background: Gingivitis is an inflammatory disorder of the periodontium induced by dental plaque bacteria. Soluble b-1,3/1,6-glucan (SBG) is known to enhance infection defense by preventing excessive inflammatory responses caused by bacterial endotoxins. Aim: The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of SBG on experimental gingivitis in man. Material and Methods: Experimental gingivitis was induced over a period of 24 days in 30 healthy volunteers who were simultaneously treated with SBG. Two groups (n510/group) rinsed twice daily with an SBG mouthwash that was either swallowed or expectorated. A third group (n510) received a water rinse as a control. Plaque index (Pl.I), gingival index (GI), and amount of gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) were assessed at baseline and at six times during the study. Results: The results showed that in the SBG groups, GCF decreased significantly during the study. The swallow group experienced a significant increase in GCF during the first week. The control group followed the expected pattern of experimental gingivitis, with a significant increase in the gingival fluid secretion during the test period. There was a significant increase in GI and Pl.I during the study for all groups, with no significant differences between them. No adverse effects of SBG were recorded. Conclusions: In this 24-day experimental gingivitis study of subjects who used either a SBG or a control mouthrinse: (1) all subjects had increased plaque and gingivitis, (2) GCF increased in control-rinse subjects and GCF decreased in SBG-rinse subjects. The only statistically significant difference between the SBG-rinse and control-rinse subjects was an increase in GCF at day 7 for subjects who rinsed and swallowed SBG.

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