Experimental Gingivitis and Frequency of Tooth Brushing in the Beagle Dog Model. Clinical Findings

The aim of this experiment was to study clinical parameters when 3 different frequencies of tooth brushing were applied to sites of experimental gingivitis in beagle dogs. 12 beagle dogs, at the start of the experiment 2 years of age, were used. After a thorough cleaning, the maxillary left and right first, second and third premolars were brushed daily for a period of 8 weeks. Subsequently, for 4 weeks, all brushing was omitted in order to establish an experimental gingivitis. After this pre-experimental period, the dogs were distributed into 3 groups of 4 dogs each: one group was brushed 7 times a week, a second was brushed 3 times a week and the third group was brushed only once a week. Brushing was carried out for 24 weeks, only on the right sides of the upper jaws, the left upper jaws serving as controls. At regular intervals, plaque index, gingival index and probing depths were assessed. A brushing effect was calculated for each dog, to include information on all within-dog and between-dog variations. The present study demonstrated that only by brushing every day can clinically healthy gingivae be obtained in the beagle dog model with experimental gingivitis at baseline. The state of gingival health at baseline may be used to determined the frequency of brushing necessary to create or maintain healthy gingivae.