Efficacy of a new electronic toothbrush in removing bacterial dental plaque in young adults.

Although a high level of oral cleanliness is essential for long-term maintenance of dental health, many people cannot maintain good oral hygiene consistently. A new electronic toothbrush has been developed that induces a small electric charge onto tooth surfaces. This charge damages electrostatic bonding of plaque proteins to tooth surfaces; thus, plaque removal is enhanced while the toothbrush is used. Young men were issued identical toothbrushes; some were electrically active. Plaque levels were assessed at baseline, and after two and four weeks, concurrently with oral-hygiene instruction and professional prophylaxis. The electrically active toothbrushes demonstrated better plaque removal than the inactive toothbrushes. This better performance was statistically significant linguopalatally, indicating that significantly more plaque was removed where mechanical access was poorest. Thus, the electrical activity of this toothbrush significantly enhances plaque removal where toothbrushing access is limited.