Evaluation of the extent of plaque removal and users' experience of alternative toothbrushes: A randomized single-blind crossover study.
Int J Dent Hyg
; 2024 May 26.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-38798071
ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION:
In residential care, tooth brushing with a manual toothbrush can be challenging because of technical difficulties, time consumption and poor patient cooperation, resulting in a sub-optimal cleaning. The study aimed at comparing the efficiency in plaque removal, brushing time and users' experience between three toothbrushes a single-headed conventional manual toothbrush, a triple-headed manual toothbrush and a U-shaped electric toothbrush.METHODS:
This was a single-blind crossover study with three pre-post-test conditions. Participants were 26 dental students divided into fixed pairs to play the role of caregivers and care receivers. Pre/post plaque scores were determined by two independent investigators according to the Quigley-Hein Plaque Index (QHI). Questionnaires evaluated participants' experiences. Statistical tests of significances of differences and ANOVA were performed.RESULTS:
Results showed that plaque removal was more effective for the manual toothbrush and the triple-headed toothbrush compared to the U-shaped electric toothbrush (p < 0.001). Brushing time was the longest for the single manual toothbrush (149 s). The U-shaped electric toothbrush showed significantly better results for aspects related to comfort and salivation. The manual and triple-headed toothbrush showed better results for aspects related to cleanliness and motivation to use.CONCLUSION:
Notwithstanding its favourable comfort, tooth plaque removal is not enhanced by a U-shaped electric toothbrush. The triple-headed and single-headed toothbrushes reduced plaque more substantially than the U-shaped toothbrush. In addition, the triple-headed manual toothbrush was not only effective in plaque removal, but also had a shorter brushing time and was easy to use, being an adequate alternative for care-dependent patient groups.
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Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Int J Dent Hyg
Assunto da revista:
ODONTOLOGIA
Ano de publicação:
2024
Tipo de documento:
Article
País de afiliação:
Bélgica