Dry brushing: Does it improve plaque removal? A secondary analysis.

Abstract

This article is a secondary analysis comparing the effects on plaque removal of brushing with a dry toothbrush and brushing with a prewetted toothbrush. The participants had been included in two previous experiments involving single-brushing exercises. The 46 non-dental participants were systemically healthy and ≥18years of age. In the first experiment, the control intervention was brushing with a prewetted toothbrush, while during the second experiment it was brushing with a dry toothbrush. Both experiments scored plaque before and after the brushing exercises and assessed participants' perception. The data of these two previous experiments were compared in this secondary analysis. Plaque score reduction following brushing with a dry toothbrush was 58%, while with a prewetted toothbrush, it was 57%. The mean plaque index score reduction of 0.08 between a dry and a prewetted toothbrush was not significant (P=.096). Prewetting the participants' toothbrush had no influence on the perception of toothbrush filament stiffness (P=.410) nor on the perception of cleaning capability (P=.449). In both experiments, brushing without dentifrice was judged to be unpleasant. On average, following a 2-minute brushing exercise, plaque scored were reduced by 57% or more. Dry brushing did not contribute significantly to toothbrush efficacy. The participants did not find that prewetting a toothbrush influenced the cleaning capability and filament stiffness.