Plaque removing efficacy of new and used manual toothbrushes

Control of plaque on the tooth surfaces is the most important method of
controlling dental disease. A manual toothbrush is the most popular mechanical
method of plaque control. In spite of the activity in improving toothbrush type
and design, most people still remove only approximately 50% of the plaque
present when they brush their teeth (Jepsen 1998). There have been numerous
investigations of the effects of toothbrushes, few have investigated the length
of time a toothbrush can be expected to last or how the pattern of wear of a
toothbrush affects the removal of plaque. The effective life of a manual
toothbrush wear is questionable.

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the difference in plaque removing
efficacy of new and a used toothbrush used in a professional brushing model.

The study is designed to evaluate the difference in plaque removing efficacy of
new and used toothbrushes. After screening, all subjects will receive an ADA
flat trimmed reference brush toothbrush, and will be instructed to use it at
home, brushing twice daily for 2 minutes on each occasion, for the duration of
the pre-trial (12 weeks). At the second visit, subjects return after abstaining
for 48 hours from all oral hygiene procedures. Plaque (Quigley & Hein) and
gingival abrasion (GA) will be assessed. Subjects will be professionally
brushed by a dental hygienist with both a new and the brush used by the subject
during the pre-trial phase. Brushes will be randomly allocated to either the
first and the third, or the second and the fourth quadrant. Thirty seconds of
brushing time is allowed for each quadrant, bringing the total brushing time to
2 min. After this procedure all subjects will be reassessed for both plaque and
gingival abrasion.

Brushing with a used toothbrush in comparison to a new toothbrush in relation
to plaque removing efficacy.

Risk for subjects: none.