Influence of mouth breathing on outcome of scaling and root planing in chronic periodontitis

INTRODUCTION: Dryness is known to be associated with inflammatory diseases such as dry eye disease and atopic dermatitis. There is significant water loss from the oral cavity during mouth breathing. This study is conducted to estimate the influence of mouth breathing on the outcome of scaling and root planing (SRP) in chronic periodontitis (CP). MATERIALS AND METHODS: CP patients comprising of 33 mouth breathers (MBs) and 33 nose breathers (NBs) were recruited. Thirty patients in each group completed the study. At baseline, plaque index (PI), gingival index (GI), bleeding on probing (BOP), probing depth (PD), and clinical attachment level (CAL) were measured. SRP was done in both groups. At the 4th, 8th, and 12th week, PI, GI, and BOP were recorded. PD and CAL were also assessed at the 12th week. RESULTS: At the 12th week, there was significantly less improvement in GI at palatal sites of maxillary anterior and maxillary posterior teeth in MB group. Sixty-nine percent of BOP positive sites with PD >4 mm were converted into BOP negative sites with PD ≤4 mm in maxillary posterior palatal sites in NB. This success was 38% in MB. CONCLUSION: Control of periodontal inflammation by SRP in CP patients is affected at palatal sites of mouth breathers.