Conventional Toothbrush Research Articles

Effectiveness of different types of toothbrushes on periodontal health in orthodontic patients with gingivitis: A randomized controlled study

BackgroundThe aim of the study is to evaluate the effectiveness of different toothbrushes in reducing gingival inflammation and dental biofilm removal in gingivitis patients with fixed orthodontic appliances.MethodsFollowing baseline clinical assessments, including the Turesky modification of the Quigley-Hein plaque index (TQHI), gingival index (GI), bleeding on probing (BOP), and probing pocket depth (PPD), all patients received nonsurgical periodontal therapy. Patients were then randomly assigned to one of three groups: conventional toothbrush (C-TB), orthodontic toothbrush (O-TB), or single-tufted toothbrush (ST-TB). Each group received tailored oral hygiene instructions based on their assigned toothbrush type. Clinical assessments were repeated and recorded in the first week, sixth week, and third month.ResultsThirty-six patients with a mean age of 23.14 ± 3.86 (18–32 years) participated in the study. All groups with twelve patients each demonstrated significant improvements in clinical parameters compared to baseline. In the sixth week, the O-TB and ST-TB groups showed significantly greater improvements in TQHI and BOP scores compared to the C-TB group (p < 0.05). By the third month, the ST-TB group maintained significantly lower TQHI and BOP scores, while the O-TB group’s scores became similar to those of the C-TB group. ST-TB and C-TB groups had significantly lower GI scores than the O-TB group in all time points. Although the effectiveness of ST-TB was significantly higher than that of other toothbrushes, all toothbrushes demonstrated lower efficacy in the posterior region.ConclusionsThe ST-TB was shown to be more effective in reducing gingival inflammation over three months, while it demonstrated similar efficacy to the O-TB in dental biofilm removal. Further research is necessary to substantiate these findings and to demonstrate the efficacy of this approach in promoting periodontal tissue health in patients with fixed orthodontic appliances.Trial registrationThis study was registered with the National Library of Medicine Clinical Trials Registry Platform on 19/07/2024 as NCT06510179.

Elastomeric Toothbrushing Aid to Improve the Toothbrushing Skills of Children with Disabilities

Background: In 12 years old children with disabilities, 30.2% had caries and in 15 years old children it increased by 2.3%.Limited handgrip motor skills in children with disabilities is 0.09% 1.5-3% have such limitations which the incidence is related to socioeconomic status. Therefore, 80-90% of children require assistive devices to facilitate their handgrip motor activities. Objective: To produce a feasible and effective elastomeric tooth brushing aid to improve tooth brushing skills and reduce debris index in children with disabilities. Methods: The study used quasi experimental (pre-post with control group design). The sampling technique was purposive sampling, consisting of 11 children in the intervention group with the application of elastomeric tooth brushing aids and 11 children in the control group with the application of conventional adult toothbrushes, with the length of treatment given 10 days. By making elastomeric tooth brushing aids manually combining elastomeric materials on conventional toothbrush handles. Results: The results of expert validation of elastomeric tooth brushing aids showed a p-value of 0.104 which means that this model is feasible as an effort to improve tooth brushing skills in children with disabilities. This model is effective in improving the teeth brushing skills of children with disabilities (p = 0.041) and reducing the debris index score of children with disabilities (p = 0.000) and reducing the debris index score of children with disabilities (p = 0.000). Conclusion: Elastomeric tooth brushing aids are feasible and effective in improving tooth brushing skills and reducing the debris index of children with disabilities.

Differences the Effectiveness of Using Conventional Toothbrush and Modified Toothbrush Handle (SIGIGA) in Reducing Debris Index With Children in Down Syndrome

Down syndrome children are mentally retarded and most of them have poor oral health and are unable to carry out dental hygiene independently due to cognitive and motor limitations. It was found that 83% of dental hygiene (debris index) was in the moderate category in children with Down syndrome. Efforts to improve dental hygiene can be done by using a modified toothbrush. The aim of the research is to determine the difference in the effectiveness of using a conventional toothbrush and a modified toothbrush with a handle (SIGIGA) in reducing the debris index in children with Down syndrome. This type of research is quasi-experimental. The sample size was 30 respondents from children with Down syndrome who were selected using a total sampling technique. The data collection instrument used was the debris index examination sheet. The data analysis techniques used are the Wilcoxon test and the Mann-Whitney test. The results of the Wilcoxon test to see the difference in plaque scores before and after treatment obtained significant results ρ (0.001) &lt; 0.05 in the conventional toothbrush group and the modified handled toothbrush group. The results of the Mann-Whitney test showed ρ (0.000) &lt; 0.05. This value shows that H0 is rejected, so there is a difference in the effectiveness of using a conventional toothbrush and a modified toothbrush with a handle (SIGIGA) in reducing the debris index in children with Down syndrome. Conclusions from the research : There is a difference in the effectiveness of using a conventional toothbrush and a modified toothbrush with a handle (SIGIGA) in reducing the debris index in children with Down syndrome.

The evaluation of the effectiveness of conventional and pulsating toothbrushes on the oral health of healthy and mentally disabled pediatric patients.

Children, especially the mentally disabled, are generally incapable of obtaining adequate oral hygiene levels by manual brushing due to their lack of knowledge about oral hygiene and their limited motor skills. In order to handle those limited skills, different designs of manual and electric toothbrushes are developed and put on markets. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of pulsating toothbrushes with easy-to-use properties, against conventional toothbrushes and to analyze their benefits on mentally disabled pediatric patients. Thirty-one healthy and 31 mentally disabled children (aged between 7 and 12) participated in this study. The effectiveness of three different toothbrushes (Oral-B Pulsar, Colgate 360° Micro Sonic Power, Oral-B Stages 3) was investigated with a cross-over study design. DMFT, dft, modified sulcus bleeding index (MOD-SBI), approximal plaque index (API) and Green and Vermillion simplified oral hygiene index (G&V OHI-S) measurements are performed to evaluate the oral hygiene status. In the mentally disabled group the manual toothbrush for MOD-SBI, and Colgate 360° Micro Sonic Power for API showed the best results respectively. The ability of tooth brushing was improved both in healthy and in disabled children during this 5 months study. Unfortunately, it was not obvious in disabled children. Persevering training for tooth brushing might be the most important regardless of the kind of toothbrush.

Periodontal Health and Microbiological Characteristics of Siwak (Chewing Stick) and Toothbrush Users: A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract Objective Siwak is a chewing stick used to clean the teeth and oral structures. Many studies have been conducted to assess the potential use of siwak in dentistry and concluded that it can be an alternative to a toothbrush in reducing plaque and gingivitis. However, some observations have reported more periodontal attachment loss and gingival recession among siwak users. This study aimed to compare the periodontal health and oral microbial characteristics between siwak and toothbrush users. Materials and Methods This was a cross-sectional study, and participants were recruited from the public who attended community engagement programs. They were assigned to two groups based on whether they used siwak or a toothbrush. Participants who consented were examined for periodontal health. Supragingival and subgingival plaque samples were collected for bacterial identification and quantification. Statistical Analysis The SPSS package version 21.0 was used for data entry. Data normality was statistically tested using Kolmogorov–Smirnov and Shapiro–Wilk tests, while data comparison used either t-test or Mann–Whitney U test. Results A total of 36 participants were included in this study. The findings revealed that the plaque scores, bleeding scores, and periodontal pocket depths between siwak and toothbrush users were comparable (p &gt; 0.05). Both groups had no evidence of gingival recession. Most participants had bacteria with characteristics of Streptococcus spp., which were present in 12 toothbrush users and 6 siwak users. Conclusions The periodontal health status of siwak users was comparable to that of toothbrush users. Despite this, siwak users had fewer types of bacteria than toothbrush users, suggesting that siwak may serve as an alternative device to conventional toothbrushes for oral hygiene when properly used.

The effectiveness of water jet flossing and interdental flossing for oral hygiene in orthodontic patients with fixed appliances: a randomized clinical trial

BackgroundOrthodontic treatment presents challenges with plaque accumulation around brackets, archwires, and elastics, leading to retained plaque and gingival inflammation. Conventional toothbrushing may not be enough, requiring additional oral hygiene aids like interproximal brushes, dental flosses, and water flossers. Limited research exists on comparing water flossing and interdental flossing in orthodontic patients. Therefore, this study aims to assess their effectiveness in maintaining oral hygiene during active orthodontic treatment.MethodsA single-blind, randomized, parallel clinical study recruited orthodontic patients with full-mouth brackets and archwires. Thirty participants were randomly assigned to either water jet flossing or interdental flossing groups. All participants were instructed to brush twice daily with a provided toothbrush and toothpaste and use the assigned intervention once daily at night. Clinical measures, including the Gingival Bleeding Index (BI), Plaque Index (PI), and Gingival Index (GI), were recorded at baseline and day 14. Descriptive statistics and statistical tests were performed using SPSS software.ResultsThe water jet flossing group demonstrated a slightly higher, albeit non-significant, benefit in plaque removal (median difference of 6.79%%, P = 0.279) and bleeding reduction (median difference of 5.21%%, P = 0.172) compared to the interdental flossing group after two weeks. Both groups showed significant reductions in gingival bleeding index and plaque index from baseline to the 2-week follow-up. The interdental flossing group had median mean percentage differences of 16.13%% (plaque index) and 23.57% (gingival bleeding index), while the water jet flossing group had median percentage differences of 21.87% (plaque index) and 32.29% (gingival bleeding index). No significant changes in gingival index grades were observed in either group.ConclusionBoth water jet flossing and interdental flossing were effective in reducing plaque accumulation and gingival bleeding among orthodontic patients. While no significant differences were found between the two methods, water jet flossing showed a potential advantage. Further research is needed to validate its effectiveness, assess long-term impact, and understand its benefits for orthodontic patients.

Effectiveness of Plaque Removal Using Different Toothbrushes in Children - A Comparative Study.

Effective plaque control is essential for improved oral health. Advancements in mechanical plaque removal using toothbrushes still continue. One such sophisticated intervention is the app-based toothbrush, a new innovative technology that helps to track the child's brushing habits. The aim of this study is to evaluate the plaque removal efficacy of three different toothbrushes in children aged 6-8 years. A randomized controlled clinical trial was conducted among primary school children with decayed missing filled teeth (dmft) score of ≤2. Baseline plaque score was collected using Turesky modification of the Quigley and Hein Index 1 week after oral prophylaxis. Children were randomly divided into three groups. Group I received conventional toothbrush (n = 25), group II received powered toothbrush (n = 25), and group III received app-based toothbrush (n = 25). Post-intervention plaque score, toothbrush wear and bite mark scores were done at the 15th, 30th, 45th and 90th day. Participant's opinion on their toothbrushes was evaluated using a questionnaire. App-based toothbrush showed maximum plaque reduction followed by powered and conventional toothbrush. Significant reduction in plaque score was seen at 30th-, 45th- and 90th-day follow-up in group II (<0.001) and group III (<0.001). There was no appreciable difference in the toothbrush wear and bite mark score between the three groups. Children preferred app-based toothbrush in spite of the complex nature of using it.

Efficacy of a novel toothbrush in improving oral hygiene among children with cleft lip and palate - a randomized control trial.

Background: Cleft lip and palate are the most prevalent orofacial congenital malformation as common as 1 in 5001. These children are born with multiple problems and face multiple traumas physically and psychologically. There is a clear need to develop improved methods of accessing and cleaning areas of high retention of the biofilm, either by the cleft morphology or the sensitivity of the surrounding tissues due to frequent local inflammatory conditions. Aim: To evaluate and compare the efficacy of a novel toothbrush in removing dental plaque in cleft lip and palate patients with a regular toothbrush. Materials &amp; method: A total of 44 children aged 8 to 12 years with CLP were clinically examined and pre-operative intraoral pictures were documented. The adapted PI uses 2% erythrosine to stain the bacterial plaque and cleaning conditions were evaluated by visual observation. Data were recorded in the WHO assessment for children in oral hygiene form. Group A and Group B intervened using the novel toothbrush &amp; conventional toothbrush respectively with A follow-up of 3,6,9,12 and 15 months. Results: Groups were analyzed using a chi-square test in which group A showed a significant reduction in plaque compared to group B.[P&lt;0.034] Conclusion: The study shows children using novel toothbrushes not only showed a reduction in plaque but also showed more patient compliance.

Comparison of the effectiveness of two manual toothbrushes: Conventional design versus double-sided toothbrush design. Apilot study.

Dental hygiene is the most effective method in the prevention of oral diseases. However, most patients do not use the recommended teeth brushing techniques and/or time brushing is insufficient. With this objective, modifications in conventional toothbrushes have been developed to deal with these findings. The aim of this study was to compare plaque removal effectiveness of a manual toothbrush with a modified head (MTMH) with a wrap-around design versus a conventional manual toothbrush. This pilot prospective clinical study was designed according to STROBE guidelines. The patients suspended oral hygiene habits for 24 h (baseline). Subsequently, the teeth were brushed for 60 s. Both toothbrushes followed the same study procedure, separated by 1 month. Plaque-removing effectiveness was measured before and after tooth brushing using the modified O'Leary Plaque Index (PI). Seven patients were included in this pilot study. The mean age was 37.66 ± 10.68 years. PI mean differences between baseline and after brushing were 51.99% ± 16.43 for MTMH and 27.93 ± 6.85, for conventional toothbrush (p = 0.0013). After brushing, mean PI values were 18.36% ± 6.95%, and 37.61% ± 10.57% respectively (p < 0.001). Within the limitations of the present study, it can be concluded that the effectiveness of plaque removal by using MTMH is significantly higher than the conventional manual toothbrush.

Using Promotional Strategies to Increase the Use of Miswak among Teenagers in Saudi Arabia

Miswak is a chewing stick that has been used in Muslim communities across the world for over 1,500 years as an oral hygiene aid. There is evidence to support its clinical effectiveness in plaque management when used alone or in conjunction with a conventional toothbrush. However, evidence of its deleterious effects on periodontal health is equivocal. To study culturally acceptable strategies for promoting oral health practices and preventing illness among adolescents in Saudi Arabia, advertisements were assessed for their ability to engage and open up new communication channels for oral health messages. The aim is to encourage adolescents to adopt the habit of using miswak to improve their oral hygiene, wherever they may be. The data for this study was collected from 116 teenage respondents from Saudi Arabia. The mean age of the study participants was 16.66 ± 0.943 years, with a median age of 17 and a range from 12 to 17. The study included 66 males (56.9%) and 50 females (43.1%). Furthermore, the overall mean assessments of both advertisements were negative due to several problems with the design and use of pictures in the ads. The analysis of this study show that a more standardised method of advertisement is required to properly gain the attention of this generation of adolescents in Saudi Arabia. In addition, the individuals who took part in the research believed that social media is the most suitable venue for conveying messages promoting miswak. To be able to communicate effectively about oral health messaging, one must first have a solid understanding of the advertising messages that are relevant to oral health, as well as the influence of religion. Another prerequisite for the creation of effective advertising is knowledge of media platforms and the impacts that these platforms have on the behaviour of teenagers. Successful communication could make youths in Saudi Arabia likelier to use miswak.

The efficacy of the dental Water Jet, orthodontic, and conventional toothbrushes in plaque removal around orthodontic braces in adolescents: A randomized controlled trial.

Orthodontic treatment improves both masticatory function and the aspects of facial esthetics through the correct alignment of the teeth. If oral hygiene is neglected during fixed orthodontic treatment, it may lead to plaque accumulation and gingivitis. The aim of this randomized controlled trial was to evaluate the effectiveness of the dental Water Jet (DWJ), and orthodontic toothbrush (O-TH) in removing dental plaque around the orthodontic braces compared to conventional toothbrush (C-TH) in adolescents. This was a three-arm, double-blind, and parallel-group randomized active-controlled trial. Forty-five patients were randomly allocated into three groups: DWJ, the O-TH, and the C-TH (control group). The primary outcome measure was dental plaque accumulation change from the baseline (t0 ) to post-cleaning (t1 ), and plaque scores were recorded using the Orthodontic Plaque Index (OPI). The current clinical trial was registered and approved by Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ACTRN12623000524695). A statistically significant difference was noted in the OPI scores between different time points in the DWJ group, the O-TH group, and the C-TH group (p < .05). However, no significant difference was noted between the groups after the cleaning procedure (p > .05). The level of oral hygiene was not satisfactory in patients undergoing fixed orthodontic treatment. In addition, the efficacy of the DWJ was not superior to O-TH nor to C-TH in plaque removal.

Plaque removal efficacy of a new toothbrush with a double-sided head and rotating handle—a pilot randomized control trial in acquired brain injury patients

ObjectivesTo assess the efficacy of a new toothbrush (Balene) for the mechanical removal of dental plaque in patients with acquired brain injury.Material and methodsThe study group consisted of 25 adults with acquired brain injury. The participants underwent 2 sessions of toothbrushing lasting 1 min, one with a conventional toothbrush and the other with the Balene toothbrush. This new double-headed toothbrush has 6 active sides, which allows for the simultaneous toothbrushing of both alveolar arches, with elastomer bristles angled at 45°, as well a handle that rotates up to 180°. Therefore, the user does not need to remove the toothbrush from the oral cavity during the toothbrushing process. Dental plaque accumulation was assessed using the simplified oral hygiene index of Greene and Vermillion.ResultsThe plaque index was significantly reduced both with the Balene toothbrush (p < 0.001) and with the conventional toothbrush (p < 0.001). The dental plaque removal efficacy was similar with the two toothbrushes. There were also no statistically significant differences in the removal of plaque with the Balene toothbrush between the autonomous and assisted toothbrushing modalities (p = 0.345).ConclusionsFor patients with acquired brain injury, the Balene toothbrush was as effective as a conventional toothbrush, regardless of whether the toothbrushing modality was autonomous or assisted.Clinical relevanceThe Balene® toothbrush’s efficacy in removing dental plaque is similar to that of conventional toothbrushes, both with the autonomous and assisted toothbrushing modality. Given its particular ergonomics, this toothbrush could be indicated for certain select patients with acquired brain injury (i.e., those whose degree of cooperation allows for toothbrushing, with a sufficient mouth opening, with no substantial abnormalities in the intermaxillary relationship, and with no significant edentulous sections).

Comparison of the Effectiveness of U-Shape Toothbrushes and Conventional Toothbrushes for Cleaning Dental Plaque: A Narrative Review

Introduction: Tooth brushing is an act of dental and oral health care that is most performed by the community. The function of brushing teeth is to control plaque so as not to cause dental and oral diseases, namely caries and gingivitis. People often do practical things, namely by using an electric toothbrush, where the toothbrush is not yet known how effective it is in removing dental plaque. Purpose: to find out the differences in the effectiveness of U-Shape electric toothbrushes and conventional toothbrushes in cleaning dental plaque. Methods: This literature study uses the narrative review method. Journals and references were collected through the BMC Oral Health, PubMed and Google Scholar online databases and websites which were selected selectively and in accordance with this literature study. Conclusion: The use of a U-Shaped toothbrush shows results that are not effective in removing plaque and is equivalent to not brushing your teeth at all and brushing your teeth using a conventional toothbrush is also still better at removing plaque

Maintenance protocols for implant-supported dental prostheses: A scoping review

Statement of the problemBiological complications of implant-supported prostheses remain a concern. Therefore, standardizing hygiene protocols to promote their maintenance is important. PurposeThe purpose of this scoping review was to identify available hygiene guidance for home care procedures, as well as periodicity and protocols for the professional maintenance of implant-supported prostheses. Material and methodsThis study was based on the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines, and the study protocol was made available at: https://osf.io/5jdeh/. The search was last performed in the PubMed database on March 15, 2022 and was undertaken by 2 independent researchers. Clinical studies and reviews that evaluated home care and maintenance protocols for dental implant-supported prostheses (fixed or removable), without language restriction or year of publication, were included. A descriptive analysis was performed considering study characteristics (study design, restorative assembly, maintenance strategies, eligibility criteria, number of included studies, quality/level of evidence, and main findings). ResultsThe initial search yielded 3138 studies, of which 18 were included for descriptive analysis (6 critical reviews, 4 clinical trials, 3 systematic reviews, 2 guideline reports, 2 retrospective studies, and 1 transversal study). The main instrument recommended for home care was the use of a conventional toothbrush associated with triclosan-containing toothpaste in addition to interproximal aids (brushes or floss) for all types of restorations. The use of irrigation instruments was also frequently considered. For professional maintenance, almost all studies reported a positive effect of regular recalls every 3 months during the first year, followed by less regular recalls according to the motivation of the patient and home care efficacy. At each recall, the professional should evaluate the patient history, oral tissues, implant, abutments, and restorations, as well as perform professional cleaning of the prostheses with appropriate instruments so that the implants and abutments may be preserved. ConclusionsEstablishing an adequate hygiene protocol is indispensable for implant-supported restorations. To do so, the professional must guide and support the patient’s home care by taking into account the patient’s motivation and efficacy during the hygiene procedures. Also, for professional maintenance, the periodicity of recalls should be constant and include an evaluation of the condition of the restoration and adjacent tissues, followed by professional cleaning of prostheses, implants, and abutments, in addition to new instructions to improve patient home care.

The Effectiveness of Electric Toothbrushes and Conventional Toothbrushes in Reducing Plaque Scores on School-Aged Children with Mental Impairment: Pilot Study

Introduction: Improving the quality of life of children is one of the goals of the health development program. The growth of children’s health is not discriminated against in this scenario. All children with special needs or impairments are covered by child health services, whether at Special Schools (SS), other institutions, or in the community. This study aimed to evaluated the effectiveness of using an electric toothbrushes, compared to conventional toothbrushes, in the reduction of dental plaque score. Methods: This study was designed as a quasi-experimental study with a pretest-posttest design. All school-aged children with mental impairment in SS Jambi City, Indonesia were included in this study. Overall, 20 children were assigned to the intervention group (n=10) and to the control group (n=10). The Personal Hygiene Performance-Modified (PHP-M) was used to examine plaque index for the assessment of dental and oral hygiene. Results: In the pretest-posttest, mean difference values in plaque scores were statistically significant in both the intervention (19.50±3.89, p&lt;0.009) and control (17.90±1.61, p&lt;0.001) groups. A statistically significant reductions was showed in mean post-test plaque index (p&lt;0.001) in the intervention group compared to the control group (14.50 ±7.83; 32.80± 13.14, respectively). Conclusion: When compared to conventional toothbrushes, electric toothbrushes are more effective in reducing plaque scores in mentally retarded children at SS Jambi City.

Assessment of plaque control efficacy using two types of toothbrushes in young adults: An interventional crossover study.

Evaluation of plaque removal efficacy of short-headed toothbrush as compared to conventional/traditional toothbrush. A total of 20 subjects meeting the inclusion criteria were considered. Selected subjects were divided into test and control groups. Initially, subjects were advised to refrain from brushing teeth for 24h, to determine the plaque index (PI) and gingival index (GI) at the baseline. Further, crossover observation between the groups was recorded based on short-headed toothbrush (Curaprox CS 5460) and traditional brushes (ultrasoft). Finally, a questionnaire survey was conducted to gather preferences and experiences of each subject. In terms of plaque removal, the short-headed toothbrush and the conventional toothbrush demonstrated comparable results. In terms of PI and GI, the intergroup comparison revealed no significant differences (p=0.878). Individual acceptability of the short-headed toothbrush was shown to be higher in the questionnaire survey. It was observed that both toothbrushes showed similar efficacy. However, the subjects preferred short-headed toothbrush. Short-headed toothbrushes comprising a higher number of bristles can be recommended in terms of better oral hygiene.

Differences in dental and oral hygiene status between orthodontic and conventional toothbrush users in fixed orthodontic treatment

Good oral and dental hygiene is a challenge for orthodontic patients because food is easily trapped around brackets and under the arches of braces, thus becoming a barrier to brushing teeth. An effective way to get rid of plaque is to use a toothbrush regularly, to keep your teeth and mouth clean and healthy. This study was intended to determine the difference in dental and oral hygiene status between orthodontic and conventional toothbrush users in fixed orthodontic treatment.The results of the analysis of 6 articles are that the use of orthodontic toothbrushes is more effective than conventional toothbrushes in removing plaque. Or-thodontic toothbrushes can also provide a significant plaque reduction effect on fixed orthodontic appliance users. Orthodontic toothbrushes did not show any difference in removing plaque compared to conventional toothbrushes. It was concluded that there were differences in dental and oral hygiene status between orthodontic and conventional brush users in fixed orthodontic treatment.

Efektivitas Pemakaian Sikat Gigi Timer Dua Menit Terhadap Penurunan Skor Plak Gigi pada Anak Usia 7-8 Tahun

Background: The global prevalence of dental caries is still high and reach 60 to 90% of school children. Dental caries is caused by dental plaque that can be prevented by brushing teeth. ADA recommended two minutes as duration of brushing teeth, but many Indonesian children haven’t reached that standard. Purpose: Knowing the effectiveness of two minutes toothbrush timer and conventional toothbrush to the plaque accumulation. Methods: This was an experimental study using pre and post-test group control with single blind design. Amount of 40 students aged 7-8 years divided to two group (control and intervention) using simple random sampling technique. The respondens was instructed to brushing teeth (Bass method) for two minutes, then the plaque index was measured by Löe &amp; Silness method. Results: Independent t-test results showed the significant differences (mean of plaque index reduction was higher in toothbrush timer group compared to conventional toothbrush group). However, there was no significant difference at the last visit. Conclusion: Using two minutes toothbrush timer is not effective to reduce plaque accumulation. With the increasing of children’s ability in brushing teeth, making the use of timer toothbrush or without timer is useful in reducing plaque.

T-shaped toothbrush for plaque removal and gingival health in children: a randomized controlled trial

BackgroundTo evaluate an experimental T-shaped toothbrush for plaque removal and gingival health when compared to a conventional toothbrush among children.MethodsThis single blind parallel randomized controlled trial was conducted on 8–10-year-old healthy schoolchildren with no history of recent antibiotic intake, proximal caries or more than 3 missing teeth per quadrant. A computer-generated randomization list allocated child to the 2 groups. Each child received detailed instructions for tooth brushing. Gingival health and plaque scores were recorded in school at baseline, 2 weeks, 1 month and 3 months in a portable dental chair by an examiner who was blind to the allocated toothbrush. A general feedback on the use of the T-shaped toothbrush was obtained at 3 months. Data was analyzed using two-way repeated measure ANOVA, Generalized estimating equation and Bonferroni test.ResultsA total of 195 eligible children were invited, 110 parents gave consent and 100 children completed the study; 50 in each group. There were statistically significant reductions in mean gingival and plaque scores at each visit when compared to baseline for both toothbrushes (p < 0.05). There were no statistically significant differences between scores for the two toothbrushes at each visit (p > 0.05). Majority of participants gave positive feedback regarding the T-shaped toothbrush.ConclusionsBoth toothbrushes had similar efficacy in removing plaque and improving gingival health among children. The T-shaped toothbrush is an alternative to the conventional toothbrush for oral hygiene in children.Trial registration Retrospectively registered at ClinicalTrials.gov Registry—NCT03989479 18/06/2019.

Assessment of the efficiency of listerine mouthwash as an adjuvant to conventional tooth brushing

To assess the effectiveness of Listerine mouthwash as an adjuvant to routine toothbrushing. The current trial was undertaken in 60 subjects who were categorized into two groups. Group A (Tooth brushing alone two times a day for two weeks) and Group B (Tooth brushing two times a day followed by 20 ml Listerine mouth rinse for 30 seconds twice daily, 30 minutes follow up tooth brushing). Plaque accumulation and gingival inflammation were evaluated using Modified Gingival Index, Turesky-Gillmore-Glickman- Modification of Quigley Hein Plaque Index and Approximal Plaque Index. The modified gingival index scores were significantly reduced in both groups and when pre and post treatment measurements of modified gingival index were equated in participants exercising toothbrushing accompanied by Listerine mouthwash, it was observed that the modified gingival index scores were significantly decreased. When the mean difference in plaque index values were equated in participants exercising toothbrushing accompanied by Listerine mouthwash then it was concluded that the values were significantly decreased. Listerine mouthwash could be considered as a supplement to mechanical plaque control approaches for the reason that of its exceptional antiplaque upshots, that is considered as a outcome of its excellent gradation of tenacity on the tooth surface.