Toothbrush ′A key to mechanical plaque control′

Abstract

Despite the wide range of methods available, mechanical plaque removal with a manual toothbrush remains the primary method of maintaining good oral hygiene for a majority of the population. Several different toothbrushing methods with manual brushes exist. The popularity of various techniques has waxed and waned over the twentieth century. However, no one method of brushing has been found superior to the other. However, plaque control by toothbrushing alone is not sufficient to control gingival and periodontal diseases because periodontal lesions are predominantly interdental. For years dental authorities have instructed their patients on how to brush their teeth correctly. However, many people lack the patience and do not follow dental instructions for more than a brief period. Therefore, studies were initiated in the belief that the introduction of power brushing would help the average person brush his teeth with greater efficiency. The purpose of this article is to update the available information on the toothbrush designs, tooth brushing methods, and the introduction of powered and ionic brushes.