Toothbrush Handle Research Articles

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) < 0.05 in the conventional toothbrush group and the modified handled toothbrush group. The results of the Mann-Whitney test showed ρ (0.000) < 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.

It is the habit not the handle that affects tooth brushing - a randomised counterbalanced cross over study with young and healthy adults

ObjectiveTo assess the effect of the toothbrush handle on video-observed toothbrushing behaviour and toothbrushing effectiveness.MethodsThis is a randomized counterbalanced cross-over study. N = 50 university students and employees brushed their teeth at two occasions, one week apart, using either a commercial ergonomically designed manual toothbrush (MT) or Brushalyze V1 (BV1), a manual toothbrush with a thick cylindrical handle without any specific ergonomic features. Brushing behaviour was video-analysed. Plaque was assessed at the second occasion immediately after brushing. Participants also rated their self-perceived oral cleanliness and directly compared the two brushes regarding their handling and compared them to the brushed they used at home.ResultsThe study participants found the BV1 significantly more cumbersome than the M1 or their brush at home. (p < 0.05). However, correlation analyses revealed a strong consistency of brushing behavior with the two brushes (0.71 < r < 0.91). Means differed only slightly (all d < 0.36). These differences became statistically significant only for the brushing time at inner surfaces (d = 0.31 p = 0.03) and horizontal movements at inner surfaces (d = 0.35, p = 0.02). Plaque levels at the gingival margins did not differ while slightly more plaque persisted at the more coronal aspects of the crown after brushing with BV1 (d = 0.592; p 0.042).DiscussionThe results of the study indicate that the brushing handle does not play a major role in brushing behavior or brushing effectiveness.

Optimization of Melt and Coolant Temperature on Defects of Injection Molded Toothbrush Handle

The toothbrush handle is an injection molded product that rejects up to 10%. One of the factors that cause defects is the injection molding process settings, namely melting and cooling temperature. The purpose of this optimization is to obtain the optimum value of melt and cooling temperature parameters on product quality (minimum defects) of toothbrush handles using RSM. The methods used include simulation using ANSYS to obtain mold temperature, Autodesk Moldflow to obtain product defects and quality prediction based on input parameters of melt temperature (190o , 200o , and 210o C) and coolant temperature (22o , 24o , and 26o C), and Minitab 19 for RSM optimization. The simulation results that cooling temperature and melt temperature that are too low and high result in high defect values (weld line and shrinkage) in the product, resulting in low quality prediction values. Based on the results of the optimized simulation, the best injection molding setting is at a melt temperature of 200oC and a cooling temperature of 24oC which obtains a toothbrush handle product quality response variable of 78.04% with a minimum weld line value of 0.0277o and a minimum shrinkage depth of 0.009 mm.

Development of a Bamboo Toothbrush Handle Machine with a Human–Machine Interactive Interface for Optimizing Process Conditions

Non-renewable materials like plastics are widely applied on toothbrush handles and bristles. Polypropylene (PP) or polyethylene (PE) is often used to fabricate the toothbrush handle, while nylon (PA) is used to form the bristle. These plastics are sourced from non-renewable fossil fuels. The primary greenhouse gases—nitrous oxide (N2O) and carbon dioxide (CO2)—in the Earth’s atmosphere are released during the production of these plastics. Bamboo can generate 30% more oxygen than most plants and trees, which absorbs twice as much carbon dioxide as trees. A comparison of the cradle-to-grave material requirements between bamboo and plastic toothbrushes reveals that bamboo toothbrushes entail hidden environmental costs. Nevertheless, bamboo toothbrushes can be completely decomposed in the environment, which makes them eco-friendly and sustainable green products. This research aims to develop a bamboo toothbrush handle machine with a human–machine interactive interface and production management for optimizing process conditions. The machine is designed as a double-group to stably mass-produce high-quality bamboo toothbrush handles under optimal process conditions. Although bamboo is a sustainable green material, the shaping process is difficult due to an extremely anisotropic property in the bamboo structures. An improper process condition will induce a rough or scorched surface, which may further cause a tearing crack. The bamboo toothbrush handle milling machine is usually designed by a profiler, which uses various molds to change the shapes and sizes of bamboo toothbrush handles. This machine cannot probe the accurate cutting force for optimizing the cutting operations, paths, and parameters. The proposed equipment with a double-group design includes two storage racks of raw materials, two feeding devices, two exchange clamping devices, and a dual-spindle milling system required to form the shaping process of bamboo toothbrush handles. The whole system is propelled by a computer numerical control (CNC) SYNTEC controller, which can fabricate the bamboo toothbrush handle with various shapes and dimensions. This controller is integrated with a LabVIEW human–machine interactive interface via a Modbus RTU communication protocol. The optimal milling paths, manufacturing methods, and feeding rates are verified by a surveillance system to detect the instant currents of both spindles via the trial-and-error method and mass production. The maximum output of the equipment can reach four bamboo toothbrush handles per minute and 1600 bamboo toothbrush handles per day.

Physical, Mechanical, and Thermal Properties and Characterization of Natural Fiber Composites Reinforced Poly(Lactic Acid): Miswak (Salvadora Persica L.) Fibers

7000 years ago, miswak fiber (MF) was used as a toothbrush for oral care. However, since the emergence of plastic materials, it monopolized the oral care industry. The increment of plastic products also promotes accumulation of plastic wastes after its disposal. Thus, many researchers have turn to biodegradable products to reduce this problem. The aim of this study is to investigate the chemical, physical, and mechanical properties of MF as reinforcement in composites that are suitable to replace the toothbrush materials. The MF was reinforced in PLA composite with different weight percentage (0%, 10%, 20%, and 30%) and undergoes several types of testing. The chemical results show that there were high presence of cellulose in the fiber which could act as medium to transfer stress load equally from fiber to matrix. However, the results show low cellulosic contents in MF that affects the poor interfacial bonding between fiber and matrix. Physical properties shows a positive indication to be used as a toothbrush handle. As the fiber content increases, the density also increased. SEM micrographic illustrated the presence of voids as the cause for reduction in mechanical properties of composites. The mechanical results show the proposed material is comparable to the materials used in commercial applications. As for the thermal result, the TGA test melting point of the proposed composite material was comparable to the pure PLA, which means the proposed material can use similar processing temperature as PLA. DSC shows that Tg of PLA/MF composite is found to be similar to Tg in loss modulus of composites. DMA finding found that PLA/MF30 have the highest storage modulus 2062 MPa and the lowest tan δ 0.6 among PLA/MF composites. This concludes that there is a possibility of using these materials as an alternative in composites and increase the fiber strength by using pretreatments and/or compatibilizer.

Individually Modeled 3D Printed Toothbrush and Interproximal Brush Handle With Name for Patients With Limited Manual Dexterity.

Maintenance of proper oral hygiene is a cumbersome task when hand and finger movement is restricted. The customized handle allows better grip on the toothbrush, making it easier to brush teeth or dentures. This increases self-esteem by reducing their dependency on others. This article describes a method of fabricating a 3D printed two-in-one customized handle for a patient with limited manual dexterity. The 3D printed handle is simple and requires less fabrication time than other methods. The customized handle is strong, durable, and resistant to water absorption. It also allows reuse with a new brush design, thus saving additional time and cost. In addition, using a customized toothbrush handle is more effective in oral plaque control than a standard toothbrush.

Customized toothbrush handle for patients with limited manual dexterity

Elderly people may have difficulty in grasping and holding tooth brush due to limited hand and finger movement. This article describes a technique of increasing the volume of toothbrush handle with acrylic device that is custom molded to the patient's unique hand. The customized handle will make holding the brush easier and more comfortable thereby contributing to the maintenance of oral hygiene.

Does Customized Handle Toothbrush Influence Dental Plaque Removal in Children with Down Syndrome? A Randomized Controlled Trial.

The present study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of customized handle toothbrush in dental plaque removal in children with Down syndrome in comparison to children with no special needs. A randomized clinical trial was performed on 48 children aged 6–9 years old. Participants were divided into two groups (n = 24, children with no special needs or with Down syndrome). Each group was divided into two subgroups (customized and conventional toothbrush). Plaque accumulation was evaluated using Turesky modification of the Quigley–Hein plaque index (TMQHPI) at four times (pre-brushing (T0), post-brushing at baseline (T1), 1 week (T2) and 3 weeks (T3)), and the modified gingival index (MGI) was used to evaluate the gingivitis at three times (T0, T2 and T3). Data were statistically analyzed. Plaque accumulation and gingivitis decreased significantly for all groups between T0 and T3 (p < 0.05). Both customized groups demonstrated significant lower plaque accumulation compared to conventional groups (p < 0.05) at T1, T2 and T3 and significant lower gingivitis at T3. Customizing the toothbrush handle improved child’s ability for plaque control, especially in children with Down syndrome.

AB188. Endoscopic removal of accidently swallowed tooth brush by healthy male—a case report

: Swallowing of foreign body (FB) is a common presentation to emergency department. Most ingested FB pass spontaneously without intervention, however about 20% of FB swallowing cases require endoscopic or surgical removal. Toothbrush swallowing is rare and no spontaneous passage has been reported due its shape, but swallowed for tooth brushes found in esophagus or stomach, prompt removal either endoscopically or surgically is recommended to avoid complications. We report a case of a young healthy male who accidently swallowed a tooth brush, which was successfully removed in the theatre endoscopically under general anaesthetic using polypectomy snare. This is a case report of a 35-year-old healthy male who presented to emergency department claiming he had swallowed a tooth brush accidently. He had no other symptoms and he was able to swallow water. His examination was unremarkable with normal chest X-ray. Initially, he was also assessed by ENT team and no FB was seen in oropharynx and he was referred to general surgeons for endoscopy and FB removal. The patient underwent gastroscopy in theatre under general anaesthesia and toothbrush was noted in oesophagus with the head of the brush stuck at oesophago-gastric junction and the handle of toothbrush in stomach. the toothbrush was removed using polypectomy snare without any complications. Patient was discharged the next day. Despite having a difficult shape for a foreign body, this is possible to remove this type of FB through gastroscopy if done so in a timely matter, avoiding potential future complications.

Application of QFD method in toothbrush design for the cervical spinal cord injury handicapped (Tetraplegia)

Background: The spinal cord trauma is a lost physical performance that causes physical limitations in addition to mental, social and economic disadvantages. The mouth and tooth health is known as one of the related issues to the physical quality of life. Providing the conditions of the more independence for these people in brushing teeth can improve the level of mouth and tooth hygiene. The aim of this study is offering proper patterns in designing toothbrush by emphasizing on the tetraplegia handicapped. Methods: The results indicate, by considering the motoric limitations of spinal cord injury handicapped (C5-C7) and re-revaluating the dimensions of their palms, it should use stammer instead of grip. Also, by considering the movement rang among handicaps, the rotation of the brush set in 2 directions, brush fixation in 4 degrees and the angle between the brush and handle has been considered. Results: The results show that the light and sanitary materials should be used in producing. The handle of toothbrush should have a little friction with the user’s hand. The pressure points should be identified and investigated, but a little pressure on hand is necessary due to grip of toothbrush. Conclusion: It seems that in designing a product, the weight, the facility and the used material must be considered. A little pressure on hand is necessary due to grip of toothbrush. Key words: tetraplegia, manual tools, QFD

Overcoming Oral Hygiene Challenges in the Nursing Home

Overcoming Oral Hygiene Challenges in the Nursing Home

Daily reduction of oral malodor with the use of a sonic tongue brush combined with an antibacterial tongue spray in a randomized cross-over clinical investigation

The objective of this clinical investigation was to test the effectiveness on breath odor of a newly designed sonic tongue brush (TongueCare+, TC). It consists of a soft silicone brush optimally designed based on the tongue’s anatomy to remove bacterial biofilm from the tongue’s complex surface, and it is coupled with a sonic power toothbrush handle. TC was used in combination with an antibacterial tongue spray (BreathRx, BRx) containing 0.09% cetylpyridinium chloride and 0.7% zinc gluconate. A total of 21 participants with oral malodor exceeding the threshold for recognition took part in this cross-over clinical investigation, which consisted of a single use of four treatment arms with one week washout period in between. The treatments consisted of: (1) TC + BRx, (2) TC + water, (3) BRx and (4) water. Malodor levels and bacterial density were monitored up to 6 h by organoleptic scoring and selective plating, respectively. The organoleptic score and bacterial density were significantly lower after using TC + BRx compared to all alternative treatments at all time points. A significant decrease in both parameters was detected after a single use of TC + BRx, from levels characteristic of high oral malodor, to barely noticeable levels after treatment and this was maintained up to 6 h. Moreover, we identified a significant positive correlation between bacterial density and organoleptic score, confirming that bacterial tongue biofilm is the root cause of oral malodor in these subjects. The results of this clinical investigation demonstrated that the combined treatment of a sonic tongue brush with the antibacterial tongue spray is able to deliver more than 6 h of fresh breath following a single use. The clinical investigation was registered at the ISRCTN registry under study identification number ISRCTN38199132.

Three‐dimensional modelling and simulation of sequential co‐injection moulding with application to a toothbrush handle

Sequential co‐injection moulding (SCIM) is a promising technique in industrial production. Because of the complex hydrodynamic effect of air on polymer melts in a moulding process, it is difficult to accurately design and control the process. Corresponding theoretical investigations are very limited, especially for the transient free surface flows in the filling stage. In this paper, a three‐dimensional (3‐D) unified model is proposed for simulating fluids flow in SCIM. The melted polymer and air in the cavity can be regarded as a continuous fluid. The evolution of the melt front interface and skin/core melt interface are captured simultaneously at any moment by the level set method; this method has been widely‐used in two‐phase flow for its ability to track interfaces. The finite volume method is combined with a domain extension technique to deal with 3‐D flows in an irregular cavity. The model is validated by simulating the SCIM process for a cavity with a block insert, and a distinct corner effect is observed. For a widely‐used plastic toothbrush made by SCIM, the evolutions of transient free surfaces in the filling stage are investigated. All numerical results are consistent with corresponding experimental results, and demonstrate the capability of the model with the domain extension technique to simulate multiphase flows in SCIM.

AB0785 Use and Interest of the Toothbrush and Its Innovative Ergonomic Handle in Persons with Gripping Difficulties

BackgroundThe impairment of hands and wrists found in certain rheumatic disorders may limit the gripping of oral hygiene instruments, thereby making brushing more difficult and possibly impacting oral health (caries,...

Efficacy of 3 toothbrush treatments on plaque removal in orthodontic patients assessed with digital plaque imaging: A randomized controlled trial

Good oral hygiene is a challenge for orthodontic patients because food readily becomes trapped around the brackets and under the archwires, and appliances are an obstruction to mechanical brushing. The purpose of this study was to compare plaque removal efficacy of 3 toothbrush treatments in orthodontic subjects. This was a replicate-use, single-brushing, 3-treatment, examiner-blind, randomized, 6-period crossover study with washout periods of approximately 24 hours between visits. Forty-six adolescent and young adult patients with fixed orthodontics from a university clinic in Germany were randomized, based on computer-generated randomization, to 1 of 3 treatments: (1) oscillating-rotating electric toothbrush with a specially designed orthodontic brush head (Oral-B Triumph, OD17; Procter & Gamble, Cincinnati, Ohio); (2) the same electric toothbrush handle with a regular brush head (EB25; Procter & Gamble); and (3) a regular manual toothbrush (American Dental Association, Chicago, Ill). The primary outcome was the plaque score change from baseline, which we determined using digital plaque image analysis. Forty-five subjects completed the study. The differences in mean plaque removal (95% confidence interval) between the electric toothbrush with an orthodontic brush head (6% [4.4%-7.6%]) or a regular brush head (3.8% [2.2%-5.3%]) and the manual toothbrush were significant (P <0.001). Plaque removal with the electric toothbrush with the orthodontic brush head was superior (2.2%; P = 0.007) to the regular brush head. No adverse events were seen. The electric toothbrush, with either brush head, demonstrated significantly greater plaque removal over the manual brush. The orthodontic brush head was superior to the regular head.

The Use of Adaptive Oral Hygiene Devices and Orofacial Exercise by Adults With Systemic Sclerosis (Scleroderma) Seems to Improve Their Gingival Health

Article title and Bibliographic Information Effect of a multi-faceted intervention on gingival health among adults with systemic sclerosis. Yuen HK, Weng Y, Bandyopadhyay D, Reed SG, Leite RS, Silver RM. Clin Exp Rheumatol 2011;29(Suppl. 65):S26-S32. Reviewer Jay Balzer, DMD, MPH Purpose/Question To evaluate the effect of using adaptive oral hygiene devices (powered toothbrush and flosser with a toothbrush handle) and orofacial exercise to improve the gingival health of adults with systemic sclerosis (SSc) when compared to a control group using more traditional oral hygiene devices (manual toothbrush and finger-held floss) and no orofacial exercise Source of Funding The Scleroderma Foundation and the National Institutes of Health National Center of Research Resources grant #P20RR017696 Type of Study/Design Randomized controlled trial Level of Evidence Level 2: Limited-quality, patient-oriented evidence Strength of Recommendation Grade Not applicable

A Design Principle of Toothbrush Handle Based on Ergonomic Theory

Toothbrush is a simple but an indispensible product. The reasonable or not of its design directly influences human’s oral health. Its handle is the main body of a toothbrush and plays a critical role in the success of its design. This paper makes a research on toothbrushes and studies on the general design principle of toothbrush handle with a combination of ergonomic theory.

In vitro tooth cleaning efficacy of electric toothbrushes around brackets

This in vitro study assessed the cleaning efficacy of different electric toothbrushes around upper incisor brackets. Standard and Mini Diamond brackets were fixed on black-stained teeth. The teeth were coated with white titanium oxide and brushed in a machine twice for 1 minute each. Twelve different brush heads with either a wiping or an oscillating-rotating action were tested. After brushing, the teeth were scanned, the black surfaces were assessed planimetrically and a modified plaque index for orthodontic patients (PIOP) was introduced. Tooth areas, which were black again after brushing indicated tooth surface contact of the filaments and were expressed as a percentage of total area. The remaining white areas around the brackets indicated 'plaque-retentive' niches. Analysis of variance was used for individual comparison of the brush types. Bonferroni/Dunn adjustment was applied for multiple testing. The Sonicare toothbrush handle with the brush head 'Compact ProResults' (81.7 per cent) and the brush head 'Standard ProResults' (80.8 per cent), as well as the sonic Waterpik toothbrush SR 800E with the standard brush head (78.2 per cent), showed statistically significantly better cleaning efficacy than all others. The poorest cleaning efficacy was observed for the oscillating-rotating Braun Oral-B Professional Care with the brush head 'Ortho' (less than 50 per cent). The planimetric findings were in correspondence with the results of the PIOP assessment. Cleaning efficacy of electric toothbrushes around brackets on upper incisors was different between the tested brushes. The PIOP was practicable, effective, and easy to use, although it has to be verified in a clinical study.

The Bass technique using a specially designed toothbrush

Reducing the plaque index (PI) is still the main objective in the prevention of gingivitis and periodontitis. This experiment evaluated the efficiency of a new manual toothbrush shape from two perspectives: allowing the maximum exploitation of the bristle surface in all directions of the dental arches and simplifying the Bass technique handling and movements in domestic oral care. The distinct shape was obtained by distancing the bristle surface from the surface of the toothbrush handle in the direction of the bristles, maintaining the two surfaces on parallel planes. This modification facilitates brushing with the Bass technique, since rotation of the new toothbrush handle on its axis allows the bristle surface to cover a greater area. Sixteen patients between the ages of 23 and 49 years with at least 28 dental elements were divided randomly into two groups. On the first day, they underwent professional plaque removal and were provided with pairs of toothbrushes to test. They were evaluated 30 days later using the Full Mouth Plaque Score determined by two dental hygienists who were unaware of the instructions given concerning the method, quadrants and toothbrushes used for the experiment. The results showed that the modifications to the manual toothbrushes produced greater PI control compared with the traditionally shaped toothbrushes. Although oral hygiene testing at home usually provides subjective information, in this experiment, the data provided a positive, objective result.

Perforation of the duodenum by an ingested toothbrush

We report a rare case of duodenal perforation caused by an ingested 12-cm long toothbrush handle. A 22-year-old female presented with intermittent epigastric pain for 6 d after swallowing a broken toothbrush. The swallowed toothbrush could not be removed from the second portion of the duodenum by endoscopy. Laparotomy revealed a perforation in the anterior wall of the duodenal bulb. The toothbrush was removed via the perforation which was debrided and closed. There were no postoperative complications.