Nylon Bristles Research Articles

Life cycle assessment of manual toothbrush materials

BackgroundA manual toothbrush is an indispensable tool for promoting and maintaining oral health worldwide but given the non-biodegradable and non-recyclable thermoplastic materials from which it is made, it cannot be considered free of threats to the environment. Therefore, also in light of the World Dental Federation's goals to implement and initiate policies for sustainable dentistry, this study evaluates the sustainability of two materials most used for manual toothbrush bristles, namely nylon, and silicone.ObjectivesThe objective is to investigate the optimal solution to reduce the environmental impact of toothbrushes, and how the environmental impact would change if only the brush head was changed instead of the entire toothbrush.MethodsLife Cycle Assessment and Carbon Footprint were used. Four manual toothbrushes with nylon bristles, and a handle in polypropylene with/without silicone parts (N1, N2, N3, N4) and two manual toothbrushes, with silicone bristles, but one with polypropylene handle only (Si1), the other with polypropylene handle and silicone parts (Si2) were evaluated.ResultsA toothbrush with silicone bristles is more sustainable than one with nylon bristles in all 18 impact categories, with average values of − 14%. In addition, eliminating only the brush head instead of the entire toothbrush could result in savings of 4.69 × 10‒3 kg CO2 eq per toothbrush. Therefore, based on the results of this study and to meet Dentistry's need to reduce its environmental impact, the ideal toothbrush should be lightweight, with less superfluous material, and with less impactful materials such as silicone instead of nylon.ConclusionsThe concluding indications for improving the sustainability of toothbrushes are therefore: (i) eliminate the amount of superfluous material; (ii) develop lighter models; and (iii) develop models in which only the brush head is replaced rather than the entire toothbrush.

Comparison of the Surface Abrasion Produced by Two Different Bristle Materials – An In vitro Pilot Study

Abstract Introduction: Gingival, periodontal diseases and dental caries are the most prevalent diseases of the oral cavity. Plaque is the main cause of these dental diseases. Plaque control is of prime importance for the maintenance of oral and dental health. The toothbrush is used very commonly for plaque control. A variety of toothbrushes are available, which are used for plaque removal. Toothbrushes cause abrasion and are significant in the development of tooth wear. This study aimed to compare the abrasion caused by a commercially available nylon bristle toothbrush to a biobased carbon-based bristle toothbrush. Materials and Methods: Acrylic plates were used to assess the abrasion caused by the nylon bristles and biobased carbon bristles. The surface roughness (Ra) was evaluated on a device, and the values were compared to each other. Results: Brushing with the biobased carbon bristle toothbrush was less abrasive than when nylon bristles were used. The nylon bristles showed a higher Ra value as compared to biobased carbon bristles. Conclusion: The biobased carbon bristles are less abrasive, but studies are required to compare the plaque removal capacity of such biobased carbon bristle toothbrushes.

Dry cleaning analysis for photovoltaic modules

For a photovoltaic module to work in optimal conditions, it is necessary a correct cleaning, as electrical power losses due to dirt on the module´s surface are estimated to be as high as 30-40% in dry and sandy climates. In this work, the design and construction of a dry cleaning system was made using a cylindrical brush with nylon bristle of 100 cm in length and 12 cm in width, the bristle have 0.3 mm diameter. The angular speed of the system is 10.58 π radians per second. The objective is to analyze the impact of the cleaning system on the electrical properties of a photovoltaic module. For the experimental analysis, the brush was adapted to a conventional electric motor, and the cleanings was on the frontal cover of the photovoltaic modules. The module was exposed to the environmental conditions of a desert climate, to perform periodic cleanings and record temperature and irradiance variables. The result of the research shows the analysis of the electrical properties of the module to determine the influence of the type of cleaning and its impact on the conversion efficiency.

Comparison of three different solutions for the disinfection of bamboo toothbrushes with plant based bristle and nylon bristle toothbrushes: A randomized controlled trial

Introduction - Toothbrushes get contaminated with use and may be a source of infection and cross-contamination. Disinfection of toothbrushes after use results in reduction in amount of bacteria on toothbrushes. Various agents are used, like chlorhexidine, UV lights, triclosan, baking soda, neem, etc. for the same. To compare three different solutions for the disinfection of bamboo toothbrushes with plant based bristle and nylon bristle toothbrushes To assess and compare the disinfection of bamboo toothbrushes with plant based bristle and nylon bristle toothbrushes using three different solutions. Material and Methods - A total of 120 individuals belonging to the age group of 8 to 11 years old were recruited. Six groups based on the disinfection solution and type of disinfectant were made: Group 1- bamboo toothbrush and water, group 2- nylon toothbrush and water, group 3- bamboo toothbrush and triclosan mouthwash, group 4- nylon toothbrush and triclosan mouthwash, group 5- bamboo toothbrush and baking soda and group 6- nylon toothbrush and baking soda. After brushing, the children/ parent were asked to disinfect the toothbrush for five minutes after every use for eight days. Bristle samples were collected on days 1 and 8 for the evaluation of CFU/ml of total bacterial count. Results - A total of 118 participants completed the study. The mean bacterial counts in CFU/ml on day 1 were 7.17 ± 0.59, 7.12 ± 0.61, 6.73 ± 0.52, 6.94±0.67, 6.86±0.57 and 7.03±0.56 for group 1 to 6, respectively. The mean bacterial counts in CFU/ml on day 8 were 7.14 ± 0.57, 7.04 ± 0.58, 1.48 ± 0.36, 1.91 ± 0.35, 2.07±0.43 and 2.07±0.32 for group 1 to group 6, respectively. Conclusion - Triclosan containing mouthwash and baking soda were both similar in terms of the disinfection of bamboo toothbrushes with plant based bristles and nylon toothbrushes. Key Words - Baking soda, Bamboo toothbrush with plant based bristles, Disinfection, S. mutans, Toothbrush, Triclosan mouthwash, 8-11-year-old children

Properties of Natural Materials as Alternative to Nylon Bristles – An Exploratory Study for Reduction of Polymer Usage

Background: Nylon bristles are the most commonly used type of bristle in toothbrushes, but they have both advantages and disadvantages. Nylon bristles can be too hard or abrasive for some people's teeth and gums. Nylon is not biodegradable and can harbor bacteria if not cleaned properly. Aims: In order to explore the possibility of using natural fibers this study was conducted. Materials and Methods: Twigs of neem, banyan, babool and miswak were purchased as fresh twigs, wiped clean, hammered on a hard wood base to obtain fibers of desired lengths. Physical appearance, Bend Recovery, Folding Endurance and Antibacterial adhesion against B. Subtilis were evaluated. All experiments were performed as triplicate and mean and standard deviation were reported. Results: Digital microscopy showed well defined fibers of fairly constant diameter, apparent from the superimposed scale. Results of bend recovery analysis showed that miswak fibers were flexible and recovery was good. Folding Endurance test showed miswak and banyan were having great folding endurance. Bacterial adhesion with B. Subtilis was heavy in all fibres. The antibacterial activity of four extracts showed that all groups had identifiable antimicrobial activity at 2000 µg concentrations. Conclusion: From results of the study, it can be inferred that miswak is the most suitable material to be used for fabricating bristles in its native form. Keywords: Babool, Banyan, Bristles, Natural Fibres; Neem Miswak.

Cleansing efficacy of an auto-cleaning toothbrushing device with nylon bristles: a randomized-controlled pilot study

ObjectivesTo compare the cleansing efficacy of an auto-cleaning device with nylon bristles (Y-brush®) to that of manual toothbrushing.Materials and methodsTwenty probands refrained from oral hygiene for 3 days. Rustogi Modified Navy Plaque Index was assessed before and after (randomized) toothbrushing either with the auto-cleaning device for 5 s per jaw or with a manual toothbrush for a freely chosen time up to 4 min. The clinical investigation was repeated in a cross-over design. In a third trial period, the brushing time for auto-cleaning was increased to 15 s per jaw. The study was supplemented by plaster cast analyses.ResultsFull-mouth plaque reduction was higher with manual toothbrushing than with auto-cleaning for 5 s per jaw (p < 0.001). There was no statistically significant difference on smooth tooth surfaces but on marginal and interdental sites. Increasing the brushing time of auto-cleaning to 15 s per jaw resulted in a comparable full-mouth plaque reduction as with manual toothbrushing (p = 0.177). In 95% of individuals, the device was too short not completely covering second molars. In 30.67% of teeth, the gingival margin was not covered by bristles.ConclusionsAuto-cleaning devices with nylon bristles have a future potential to reach plaque reduction levels comparable to manual toothbrushing, although manufacturers must focus on improving an accurate fit.Clinical relevanceUnder the premise of an ameliorated fit, the auto-cleaning device might be recommendable for people with low brushing efficacy. Interdental sites remain a failure point if adjunct interdental cleaning is not viable.

Accidental or intentional ingestion of toothbrushes: experience with 8 adult patients.

Ingestion of a toothbrush is an unusual event but may occur either accident or by intent. Radiological examinations play a crucial role in determining the exact location of the object within the gastrointestinal tract and in planning for its removal by endoscopic or surgical intervention. Medical and radiological records of 8 patients who had swallowed the broken heads or entire toothbrush were retrospectively reviewed. This series included 4 men and 4 women, ranging in age from 21 to 57 years (mean: 34 years). Radiographs and computed tomography of the abdomen demonstrated the ingested toothbrushes within the stomach in 3, lodged in the duodenum in 1, and entrapped in various parts of the colon in 4 patients. They were removed by laparotomy in 3, laparoscopy in 2, colonoscopy in 2, and upper gastrointestinal endoscopy in 1 patient. There were no perforations or associated complications, and all patients had uneventful recoveries. Ingested toothbrushes can be easily identified on radiological studies because of the radiopaque wires holding the nylon bristles. The plastic parts of it, however, are only visible on computed tomography. All cases would require endoscopic or surgical removal of the retained toothbrushes because spontaneous passage per rectum does not occur.

A Comparison of Manual Nylon Bristle Toothbrushes versus Thermoplastic Elastomer Toothbrushes in Terms of Cleaning Efficacy and the Biological Potential Role on Gingival Health

Background: It is well-known that toothbrushing might be associated with the development of oral soft tissue lesions. There is currently a continuing increase in the demand for new safety and performing materials in daily homecare oral hygiene including soft and extra-soft toothbrush bristles that tend to be safer. The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy of plaque control and the potential effects on gingival health of two different toothbrush bristle models. Methods: In a three-month period, a total of forty subjects were evaluated for Oral Hygiene Index (OHI), Gingival Index (GI) and Plaque Index (PI) scores as well the Gingival Abrasion Assessment (GAA) between a toothbrush entirely made from a rubber-like material called thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) and a soft toothbrush (standard control with nylon bristles) in a clinical, single-blind, controlled, parallel-group trial. Results: The use of the TPE toothbrush allows a reduction in the PI, improves the OHI and modifies the GAA in the TPE group over a period of three months compared with a conventional soft bristle toothbrush applied for the same period, leading in this way evidence for a good influence of the TPE bristles on overall oral hygiene conditions. Conclusions: From the comparison between our data and the literature studies, we can state that the material and shape of the bristles of the toothbrush affect the home practice of oral hygiene. The TPE bristles reduce the presence of plaque formation and gingival bleeding, oral soft tissue injuries acquired during homecare oral hygiene.

Comparison of Root Surface Wear and Roughness Resulted from Different Ultrasonic Scalers and Polishing Devices Applied on Human Teeth: An In-Vitro Study.

The aim of the present study was to compare the root surface wear and roughness, resulted from the professional dental hygiene instruments, including ultrasonic dental scalers, rubber prophy cups, and nylon bristle brushes, on the extracted human mandibular incisor teeth. Teeth (n = 80) were randomly assigned into eight groups according to the applied scaler type (Ma = Magnetostrictive, Pi = Piezoelectric), degree of power (M = Medium, F = Full), and angulation (0° and 45°). In the second stage, the specimens (n = 40) were further divided into two groups according to the applied polishing device (nylon bristle brush or rubber prophy cup). Laser scanner and contact profilometer devices were used for the surface analysis. Both ultrasonic instruments tested in our study produced rougher surfaces when full power was used at a 0° angle (p < 0.01). The highest wear (0.82 ± 0.07 mm3) and roughness values (0.30 ± 0.01 µm) were detected in the PiF0 group. Polishing performed with a rubber prophy cup resulted in almost twice the wear as well as a smoother surface when compared to polishing performed with a nylon bristle brush (p < 0.001). Variations in the application parameters of ultrasonic scalers and the type of polishing instrument might lead to significantly different root-surface characteristics.

A Manual Bristleless Toothbrush Demonstrates Slight Improvement in Gingival Recession Compared to a Conventional Soft Manual Brush.

This randomized clinical trial tested whether a novel bristleless toothbrush design is more effective in preventing gingival recession in adults receiving periodontal maintenance than is a soft toothbrush with nylon bristles. Twenty-three subjects with gingival recession were recruited who received regular periodontal maintenance care at Western University of Health Sciences Dental Center, and who did not exhibit signs of acute dental or systemic disease, occlusal discrepancies or parafunctional habits. These subjects were randomly assigned to to two groups, one using a soft nylon-bristled toothbrush, and the other using the experimental toothbrush that contains a brush head with short, soft, rubbery cones. Both groups received regular periodontal maintenance and periodontal exams by blinded examiners every 3-4 months, measuring probing depth, bleeding on probing, and plaque indices. Gingival recession was assessed clinically and through use of a stent on diagnostic casts obtained at each visit. Average probing depths, plaque levels, and the number of sites with bleeding on probing did not change over at least 9 months. After 9 months, there was a small but statistically significant improvement in gingival recession (0.4 mm, p < 0.01) at sites with gingival recession in the experimental toothbrush group compared to the control group. In periodontal maintenance patients, the bristleless toothbrush used in this study was as effective in plaque removal and prevention of gingival inflammation than a conventional toothbrush with soft nylon bristles, while increasing the possibility of gingival tissue rebound over denuded root surfaces.

Comparison of Plaque Removal and Wear between Charcoal Infused Bristle and Nylon Bristle Toothbrushes: A Randomized Clinical Crossover Study

To compare plaque removal and wear between charcoal infused bristle toothbrushes (T1) and nylon bristle toothbrushes (T2) in a randomized clinical crossover study. A cross-over study was conducted in 2 phases of 6 weeks duration each with an intervening 2-week washout. Twenty-five participants meeting inclusion criteria were randomly allocated into groups A (13) and B (12). In phase 1: group A was assigned T1 and group B was assigned T2. Toothbrushing was advised twice daily for 2 minutes by modified bass technique after meals. At baseline, 3 weeks and 6 weeks the wear index (WI), plaque index (PI) and gingival index (GI) were recorded. Following washout in phase 2 group A was assigned T2 and group B was assigned T1 and the same study protocol was followed. Intra-group comparison between baseline, 3 and 6 weeks by the paired t-test resulted in significant reduction in PI, GI and increase in WI (p <0.05) for T1 and T2. Inter-group comparison using the unpaired t-test resulted in WI for T1 being significantly higher (p <0.05) at 3 weeks and lower at 6 weeks (p <0.05) compared to T2. PI for T1 was significantly higher at 3 weeks (p <0.05) and lower at 6 weeks (p <0.05) compared to T2. No significant difference in GI scores between T1 and T2 at 3 and 6 weeks was observed (p >0.05). Charcoal infused bristles demonstrated less wear and more plaque removal compared to nylon bristles. Charcoal infused bristles demonstrate less wear compared to nylon bristles.

Nylon Bristles and Elastomers Retain Centigram Levels of Triclosan and Other Chemicals from Toothpastes: Accumulation and Uncontrolled Release.

Triclosan (TCS), a broad-spectrum antimicrobial, is used in commercial toothpastes with reported dental benefits. Our studies on 22 popular manual toothbrushes in the U.S. showed that common toothbrush head components can accumulate substantial amounts of TCS after brushing with TCS-formulated toothpastes (TCS-TPs). After simulated 3-month brushing with a commercial best-selling TCS-TP, over one third of the adults' toothbrushes showed a cumulative TCS uptake of 21-37.5 mg, equivalent to 7-12.5 doses of the TCS used per brushing. Similar results were observed on children's toothbrushes with small pea-size heads. Elastomer components were found to be the main contributor while both nylon bristles and elastomers could act as absorptive sinks for TCS during brushing. Studies on six different TCS-TPs containing 0.3 wt% TCS showed similar profiles of TCS accumulation. The absorbed TCS was gradually released into toothpaste slurries after switching to TCS-free alternatives. Release of TCS, which typically measured at a fraction (<75%) of the standard dose using the TCS-TPs, continued for over 2 weeks and occurred most rapidly in peroxide-containing "whitening" toothpastes, followed by alkaline and surfactant-rich toothpastes. The accumulating effect was not exclusive to TCS but was commonly observed on several chemicals identified in TCS-TPs and a range of regular toothpastes.

Profilometric analysis of root surfaces after using various polishing agents.

Background:Polishing is an important step in oral prophylaxis procedure which retards further accumulation of plaque on the root surfaces. Though polishing was done with various abrasive particles with different sizes over a long period of time, it was never been highlighted to evaluate the ideal polishing material and the particle size that would produce the ideal surface smoothness (Ra <0.2 μm).Materials and Methods:The present study was carried out on 70 periodontally involved, caries-free extracted human teeth from 42 patients. All the teeth were collected from the region of incisors, canines, and premolars. In vitro scaling and root planing were performed by piezoelectric scaler and Gracey's area specific curettes, respectively. All the teeth were grouped at random into control and experimental. The collections of abrasive materials were done directly from the market, and the different particle sizes were prepared in the laboratory.Experimentation:The polishing was done at a constant speed of 200 rpm with cylindrical nylon bristle brush followed by rubber prophy cup. Each group belonging to control and experimental was subjected to profilometric study for evaluation of surface roughness.Results:Regular polishing abrasives are not able to produce the surface smoothness of our desire level (i.e., Ra <0.2 μm), which can be achieved only by submicron-sized particles.Conclusion:Regular size polishing particles available in the market (>5 μm) are not able to produce the surface smoothness <0.2 μm. Only, submicron sized particles are able to produce the desired smoothness.

Effect of two fluoride varnishes on the color stability of three resin-based restorative materials: an invitro study.

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of two fluoride varnishes on color stability of three resin-based restorative materials. Fifty-four discs (14.5×1.7mm) were fabricated from A2 and A3 shades of a compomer (F2000), a flowable composite (Z350), and a hybrid composite (Z250), and incubated at 37°C for 48h. Dura Shield (colored) and Fluor Protector (colorless) fluoride varnishes were applied onto the discs. The coating was cleaned using a low-speed handpiece and nylon bristle brush after 24h of storage in distilled water. A second coating was then applied. A control group with no coating was immersed in distilled water and used. The CIE L*a*b* color scale was measured before the treatments and following each cleaning utilizing a spectrophotometer. The colored fluoride varnish exhibited the highest overall color change (∆E) after the first and the second cleaning procedures in all the materials. Among these, the greatest color change was observed in the A3 shade of F2000, followed by the A3 shade of Z-250. The ∆E was less than 3.3 in all groups, and was therefore clinically acceptable. Color changes following the application of fluoride varnishes were found to be clinically acceptable in all groups.

Comparative analysis of four cleaning methods of endodontic files

Due to the size and design of endodontic files, these instruments have been considered one of the most difficult to clean among all dental instruments. The debris maintenance within the sulcus prevents the effective sterilization and may compromise the disinfection of root canal systems in endodontic therapy. However, there is neither a method nor technique that standardized the cleaning of these instruments. Objective: To evaluate the cleaning ability of four techniques used in dentistry. Material and methods: For this purpose, 30 new size #40 Flexofile were used for the preparation of the canals of mandibular molars of pigs. After instrumentation, the contamination and the presence of debris in the sulcus was confirmed and the files were randomly divided into four groups: control group (without cleaning), group 1 (enzymatic detergent + manual brushing with nylon bristle brush), group 2 (ultrasound + enzymatic detergent), group 3 (ultrasound + water) and group 4 (gauze embedded in 70% alcohol). Next, all files were photographed and photographs were printed at high quality. The spirals containing debris were counted.Results: Manual cleaning with enzymatic detergent and nylon bristle brush, ultrasound with either water or detergent showed the best cleaning capacity in which respectively 100%, 98.9% and 96.2%, of the spirals were free of debris. Cleaning with alcohol and gauze proved to be ineffective, showing debris in more than 40% of the spirals by visual analysis. In control group, 91% of the spirals presented debris. It can be concluded that the association between manual and ultrasound cleaning may be promising in ensuring a cleaning protocol for endodontic files cleaning.

Increase in gloss of coated red peppers by different brushing procedures

Coating glossy surfaces may reduce their surface shine to undesirable levels. To minimize this effect, we studied pepper, a naturally highly glossy material, which had been coated with a hydrocolloid-wax preparation, reducing its gloss by ∼30%. We hypothesized that the reduced gloss could be increased by a simple brushing procedure. We examined various parameters related to brushing – type of brush, revolutions per minute (RPM) and brushing time – to determine what might best restore the fruit's initial, pre-coating gloss. Brushes with horse hair or nylon bristles, run at 100, 200 or 300 RPM for 1 or 10 min were tested. It was concluded that the horse hair brush gives better results for the coated and brushed commodity than the nylon brush, possibly due to the structure of the fibers and the nature of the formulation. A sensory evaluation panel concluded that coating and then brushing results in a product that is closer in appearance to the natural non-treated pepper, although still not as glossy as the non-coated product.

Hive-entrance pollen transfer devices to increase the cross-pollination potential of honey bees. II. Examination of three materials and pollen viability

SUMMARYThe cross-pollination potential of honey bees (Apis mellifera) may be improved by increasing the foreign pollen on bees' bodies through an enhancement of bee-to-bee pollen transfer in the hive. To do so, we fitted a simple device, which we call a hive-entrance pollen transfer device, at the hive entrance. The device was lined with three materials which were tested for their efficiency in increasing pollen grain numbers and pollen richness on the bodies of honey bees departing their colony in the summer of 1993. Of the three materials, woollen fabric and felt fabric increased significantly the total number of pollen grains on bees by an average of 84% and 131%, respectively. The effect of fine nylon bristles on pollen grain numbers, though positive (14% increase), was only marginally significant relative to control colonies. Felt fabric performed better than woollen fabric and fine nylon bristles in increasing significantly pollen richness on departing bees (by 64%, 25% and 28%, respectively). Germination of pollen sampled from the bodies of bees departing a colony with a hive-entrance pollen transfer device lined with fine bristles and a control colony was found to be similar, and not significantly different from pollen sampled from the bodies of pollen collectors entering the same colonies. Among bees' body areas, proboscidial fossae carried pollen with the highest germination rate. Corbicular pollen had almost twice as high a germination as that from proboscidial fossae. Pollen from woollen fabric, felt fabric and fine bristle materials lining a hive-entrance pollen transfer device had an equally high germinability.

Laboratory wear investigation of resin posterior denture teeth

This investigation compared the wear resistance of three “improved” resin posterior denture tooth formulations with two conventional products on a mechanical toothbrush abrasion machine. The ability of the teeth to resist this type of abrasion was evaluated by determination of the weight loss during 339 hours of brushing with firm nylon bristle toothbrushes. All brands exhibited negligible loss, with the conventional brands performing better than the “improved” formulations.

スクラッビング法における種々の歯ブラシの歯垢除去効果とブラッシング圧に関する研究 ＩＩＩ 豚毛歯ブラシとナイロン毛歯ブラシについて

スクラッビング法における種々の歯ブラシの歯垢除去効果とブラッシング圧に関する研究 ＩＩＩ 豚毛歯ブラシとナイロン毛歯ブラシについて

スクラッビング法における種々の歯ブラシの歯こう除去効果とブラッシング圧に関する研究 Ｉ 毛の先端形態と直径の異なるナイロン毛の歯ブラシについて

スクラッビング法における種々の歯ブラシの歯こう除去効果とブラッシング圧に関する研究 Ｉ 毛の先端形態と直径の異なるナイロン毛の歯ブラシについて