OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to create and validate a drawing to help adults establish when to replace a manual toothbrush. METHODS: This cohort study had two phases. Phase I (3 months, 50 subjects) aimed to create a drawing of average wear in a toothbrush based on a wear index (WI) of 68% for the tested toothbrush. This was validated in Phase II (3 months, 30 participants). Pictures of worn brushing surfaces were generated using an image acquisition system. Images in each study phase were superimposed to provide a single reference outline to indicate when a toothbrush should be replaced. Residual plaque index values for identical brushing protocols were recorded using new and worn toothbrushes in Phase I and compared using Student's paired t-test. Student's t-test was used to compare duration of tooth-brushing and WI values in both phases. RESULTS: After brushing according to a uniform protocol, the residual plaque index at baseline was significantly lower than that at the last use of the toothbrush (P < 0.01). The drawings generated in Phases I and II were similar in terms of WI (P = 0.33) and period of use (P = 0.12). CONCLUSIONS: This simple drawing may help adults establish when they should replace a toothbrush.
OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to create and validate a drawing to help adults establish when to replace a manual toothbrush. METHODS: This cohort study had two phases. Phase I (3 months, 50 subjects) aimed to create a drawing of average wear in a toothbrush based on a wear index (WI) of 68% for the tested toothbrush. This was validated in Phase II (3 months, 30 participants). Pictures of worn brushing surfaces were generated using an image acquisition system. Images in each study phase were superimposed to provide a single reference outline to indicate when a toothbrush should be replaced. Residual plaque index values for identical brushing protocols were recorded using new and worn toothbrushes in Phase I and compared using Student's paired t-test. Student's t-test was used to compare duration of tooth-brushing and WI values in both phases. RESULTS: After brushing according to a uniform protocol, the residual plaque index at baseline was significantly lower than that at the last use of the toothbrush (P < 0.01). The drawings generated in Phases I and II were similar in terms of WI (P = 0.33) and period of use (P = 0.12). CONCLUSIONS: This simple drawing may help adults establish when they should replace a toothbrush.
Authors: Nicholas J Conforti; Raphael E Cordero; Joanne Liebman; James P Bowman; Mark S Putt; Diane S Kuebler; Kimberly R Davidson; MaryAnn Cugini; Paul R Warren Journal: J Clin Dent Date: 2003
Authors: W H van Palenstein Helderman; M M Kyaing; M T Aung; W Soe; N A M Rosema; G A van der Weijden; M A van 't Hof Journal: J Dent Res Date: 2006-12 Impact factor: 6.116
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