Comparison of manual toothbrushes with different bristle designs on gingival health

Abstract

Background: Dental caries and periodontal diseases are among common human illnesses. It is found that the main etiology of periodontal diseases such as gingivitis and periodontitis is the interaction between human immune system and bacteria of dental plaque. Tooth brushing is utilised as the most widely accepted technique for plaque elimination. Aim: The aim of this study was to compare the effects of three types of manual toothbrushes with different bristle designs including Colgate Cibaca Flat, Colgate Criss Cross and Colgate Slim Soft on gingivitis. Methodology: The present double blinded, parallel designed, randomized clinical trial was carried out among 72 gingivitis patients in the Department of Periodontics, Saveetha Dental College and Hospitals, Chennai, India. Participants were assigned to three groups: 12 participants in each group [Group A (Colgate Flat), Group B (Colgate Criss Cross) and Group C (Colgate Slim Soft)]. Complete ultrasonic scaling was done for all the participants and subjects were asked not to use any oral hygiene aids and recalled after three days and the gingival index were noted (baseline). Then subjects were provided with respective brushes and instructed to use them for 1 month. Again, gingival index were noted after 1 month. The data was analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS Software, Version 23.0). One-way ANOVA was used to compare the mean values of gingival index between the groups. Also, student’s paired t-test was used to compare the mean values of gingival index within the groups. Results: In group 1, the mean gingival index at baseline was 2.671±0.48 and after a month the value was reduced to 1.88±0.44. In group 2, the gingival index reduced from 2.63±0.49 to 1.29±0.46. In group 3, the mean gingival index at baseline was 2.63±0.49 and after a month the value was reduced to 2.00±0.51. There was reduction in gingival scores between the three toothbrushes after a month. Also, the difference in gingival index between colgate criss cross and slimsoft was found to be statistically significant (p < 0.05). Conclusion: The present study suggests that all the three types of toothbrushes were effective in reduction of plaque and gingivitis. However, significant reduction in gingival index score was observed in Colgate slim soft and Colgate criss cross as compared with Colgate flat toothbrush.