Eugene Tan1, Christopher Daly. 1. Discipline of Periodontics, Faculty of Dentistry, The University of Sydney, Australia.
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: It is often recommended that manual toothbrushes should be replaced every 3 months. The aim of this study was to compare the effectiveness of new and 3-month-old toothbrushes in the removal of dental plaque. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A single examiner blind, randomized study was performed in which 40 adult patients attended the clinic on two occasions following 48-h periods of no oral hygiene. Following plaque scoring, patients brushed with a new toothbrush at one visit and with a brush that they had used previously for 3 months at the other visit. Brushing time was 60 s. Plaque was then re-scored and percentage reductions in plaque scores calculated. The amount of wear of the 3-month-old brushes was determined by measurement of brushing surface areas. RESULTS:Plaque scores after each 48-h period of no oral hygiene were not significantly different. The percentage reductions in plaque scores achieved with the new brushes were not significantly different from those achieved with the 3-month-old brushes. Both the new and the 3-month-old toothbrushes reduced plaque scores by approximately 34%. Compared with new brushes in the same subjects, no significant differences were found for plaque score reductions for 3-month-old brushes with minor, moderate or marked wear. CONCLUSION: The 3-month-old toothbrushes were as effective as new brushes in plaque removal.
RCT Entities:
OBJECTIVES: It is often recommended that manual toothbrushes should be replaced every 3 months. The aim of this study was to compare the effectiveness of new and 3-month-old toothbrushes in the removal of dental plaque. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A single examiner blind, randomized study was performed in which 40 adult patients attended the clinic on two occasions following 48-h periods of no oral hygiene. Following plaque scoring, patients brushed with a new toothbrush at one visit and with a brush that they had used previously for 3 months at the other visit. Brushing time was 60 s. Plaque was then re-scored and percentage reductions in plaque scores calculated. The amount of wear of the 3-month-old brushes was determined by measurement of brushing surface areas. RESULTS: Plaque scores after each 48-h period of no oral hygiene were not significantly different. The percentage reductions in plaque scores achieved with the new brushes were not significantly different from those achieved with the 3-month-old brushes. Both the new and the 3-month-old toothbrushes reduced plaque scores by approximately 34%. Compared with new brushes in the same subjects, no significant differences were found for plaque score reductions for 3-month-old brushes with minor, moderate or marked wear. CONCLUSION: The 3-month-old toothbrushes were as effective as new brushes in plaque removal.
Authors: Martijn P C Van Leeuwen; Fridus A Van der Weijden; Dagmar Else Slot; Martijn A M Rosema Journal: Int J Dent Hyg Date: 2018-11-19 Impact factor: 2.477