EVALUATION OF 2 METHODS TO ASSESS GINGIVAL BLEEDING IN SMOKERS AND NONSMOKERS IN NATURAL AND EXPERIMENTAL GINGIVITIS

The purpose of the present study was to compare the bleeding tendency as elicited by probing the marginal gingiva (BOMP) and probing to the bottom of the pocket (BOPP) in smokers and non-smokers in natural ging ivitis and during experimental gingivitis. 11 smokers (sm) and 14 non- smokers (nsm) were recruited. When they had less than 20% approximal b leeding sites, they entered a 14-day trial period of 'experimental gin givitis'. Subjects returned 30 days later, after resuming normal oral hygiene procedures, for a final gingival assessment. A split-mouth des ign was chosen using 2 contra-lateral quadrants for each index (being either BOMP or BOPP). A consistently higher bleeding score of approxim ately 10% was observed by probing to the bottom of the pocket. At day 14 with both indices, a significant difference between smokers and non -smokers was detected (BOMP: sm=15%, nsm=30%; BOPP: sm=27%, nsm=44%). The increment between gingival health and experimental gingivitis was significantly higher in non-smokers than in smokers but comparable for both indices (BOMP: sm=8%, nsm=23%; BOPP: sm=9%, nsm=26%). Probing to the bottom of the pocket results in significantly more bleeding in gi ngival health and gingivitis as compared to probing of the marginal gi ngiva. This shows that evaluation of the gingival condition with POMP the method of choice with respect to gingivitis, can be used as a para meter for inflammation when comparing smokers and nonsmokers. The supp ressed inflammatory response to plaque accumulation, as observed in sm okers, indicates that they should be identified as a separate group wh en they participate as panellists in (experimentally induced) gingivit is studies.