Comparison of the Efficiency of Dental Plaque Removal with the Use of Soft Manual Toothbrushes

Abstract

Background. Efficient dental plaque removal is essential in preventing dental caries and periodontal diseases. The selection of toothbrushes and a tooth brushing techniques depends on the oral health of a given patient, their manual skills and personal preferences. Patient's age, manual dexterity, susceptibility to decay, occurrence of non-carious lesions, and the periodontal state should be taken into consideration when choosing a toothbrush. Objectives. The aim of this study was to compare the efficiency of dental plaque removal with the use of two soft toothbrushes of different head shapes. Material and Methods. The study involved 50 people, including 32 women and 18 men at a mean age of 23. The subjects were divided into two groups and they were assigned Colgate (R) Slim Soft (TM) (group I) and Curaprox (TM) Soft (group II) toothbrushes. Dental plaque was assessed in all patients with the use of the Navy Plaque Index (RMNPI) modified by Rustogi et al., before and after a 2-min-long tooth brushing. In addition, the respondents carried out a subjective evaluation of the comfort of tooth brushing. Results. In the group I, the 2-min-long tooth brushing was reported to more efficiently remove dental plaque from the approximal area (52.0% vs. 42.0%), as well as from the total surface (57.0% vs. 53.0%), in comparison with the group II. The gingival area was better cleaned in the group II than in the group I (68.0% vs. 59.0%). Both tested toothbrushes gained the acceptance of the study participants. Conclusions. The tested toothbrushes with soft bristle effectively remove dental plaque