Year : 2016

Volume : Volume 6

Issue : Issue 2s

Address for correspondence :
Dr. Rohini Dua
rohinidua@gmail.com

Abstract

Aim:  The aim of this study was to compare and evaluate the plaque removal efficiency of a chewable toothbrush (CB), manual toothbrush (MB) and powered toothbrush (PB) in children.  Materials and Method: A total of 30 patients aged 6-8 years were enrolled in the study. This was a singleblinded crossover study which examined plaque removal efficiency of a CB compared to a manual (MB) and powered toothbrush (PB). DAY 1 & DAY 4 Supragingival plaque was examined using the Turesky modification of the Quigley-Hein Index (TQHI). For statistical comparison, the difference (prebrushing minus postbrushing) in average scores was calculated. Data were evaluated by paired T-test and tukey HSD with a P < 0.05 considered to be statistically significant.  Results: The mean plaque reduction score at DAY 1 with TQHI for CB, MB , PB were 0.463±0.295 ,0.622±0.221 and  1.034±0.203 respectively and at DAY 4 the mean plaque reduction score was  0.727±0.349 , 0.823±0.277 , 1.265±0.190 respectively. Differences in scores between the three brushes were statistically significant (P > 0.05).  Conclusion: Chewable toothbrush showed great results on lingual surfaces of teeth which are usually inaccessible for other toothbrushes. It cannot substitute regular brushing but definitely can be use as an adjunct to escalate oral hygiene.

Keywords: Chewable, manual, powered, toothbrush, plaque.