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Galván M, Gonzalez S et al. J Periodontal Res 2014; 49: 696–702

There is a priority 'to develop effective and affordable self-care techniques for the prevention and treatment of periodontal disease.' The use of toothbrushes, interdental cleaning aids and mouth rinses have sub-optimal outcomes. For example, toothbrushing by itself 'reduces the average plaque scores only by about half, and plaque is left behind on 85% of interdental surfaces'. This was a randomised, controlled, single-blinded, clinical trial. The test group rinsed twice weekly with 0.25% sodium hypochlorite (Clorox regular bleach that contains 6% sodium hypochlorite, diluted with water). The control group rinsed with water. Fifteen patients were allocated to each group. At baseline and 2 weeks, subgingival irrigation was carried out with either 0.25% sodium hypochlorite (test) or water (control). Only 12 participants (7 test, 5 control group) completed the 3 month study. In those who rinsed with sodium hypochlorite, there were significant reductions 1) in the number of teeth that did not show bleeding on probing, and 2) plaque-free surfaces.