Comparison of manual toothbrushes with different bristle designs in terms of cleaning efficacy and plaque control: A pilot study

• Main Author: Habeeb Rahman (Author)
• Format: Book
• Published: Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications, 2023-01-01T00:00:00Z.
• Subjects: article
• Online Access: Connect to this object online.
• Notes: 0970-0218; 1998-3581; 10.4103/ijcm.ijcm_404_22
• Keywords: bristle design; manual toothbrush; plaque control; straight bristle design; zig-zag bristle design; Public aspects of medicine; RA1-1270
• Source: Indian Journal of Community Medicine, Vol 48, Iss 1, Pp 108-111 (2023)

Objective: The aim of the study was to compare the cleaning efficacy and plaque control of the straight and angled bristle design manual toothbrushes. Materials and Methods: It was a pilot randomized trial comprising 30 dental students divided into 2 groups (group I flat bristle design toothbrush and group II zig-zag bristle design toothbrush) with 15 in each group. Prebrushing and postbrushing plaque scores were recorded at the baseline and at the end of 4 weeks using Turesky modification of Quigley and Hein plaque index. Results: Plaque and gingival scores were reduced significantly at 1 month in group II with P < 0.05 than compared to group I where P > 0.05. Mean GI and plaque scores of the criss-cross design were reduced significantly after 1 month (P < 0.05). Intergroup comparisons revealed that plaque and gingival scores significantly reduced (P < 0.05) at 1-month interval. Conclusion: Bristle design has significant impact on plaque removal capacity of a toothbrush. Toothbrush with zig-zag bristle design is efficient in removing plaque than the flat design of a toothbrush.