A comparative assessment of plaque removal and toothbrushing compliance between a manual and an interactive power toothbrush among adolescents: a single-center, single-blind randomized controlled trial

Abstract

Background: Many adolescents have poor plaque control and sub-optimal toothbrushing behavior. Therefore, we compared the efficacy of an interactive power toothbrush (IPT) to a manual toothbrush (MT) for reducing dental plaque and improving toothbrushing compliance.

Methods: In this randomized, parallel single-blind clinical study, adolescents brushed twice daily with either a MT (Oral-B® Indicator soft manual toothbrush) or an IPT (Oral-B® ProfessionalCare 6000 with Bluetooth). Subjects brushed for 2 min, plus an additional 10 s for each 'Focus Care Area'. At screening and Week 2, afternoon pre-brushing plaque was assessed via the Turesky Modification of the Quigley-Hein Plaque Index (TMQHPI), and supervised brushing duration was measured.

Results: Sixty subjects were randomized; 98% completed. At Week 2, the mean reduction in whole mouth plaque relative to baseline was 34% (p < 0.001) for the IPT versus 1.7% (p = 0.231) for the MT. For Focus Care Areas, the IPT yielded a 38.1% mean TMQHPI reduction (p < 0.001) versus 6.2% for the MT (p < 0.001). Mean brushing time versus baseline increased 34 s in the IPT group (p < 0.001) while remaining flat in the MT group (p = 1.0).

Conclusions: Over 2 weeks, adolescents using an IPT experienced superior plaque reduction and increased overall brushing time versus those using a MT.

Trial registration: This trial was retrospectively registered ( ISRCTN10112852 ) on the 18th, June 2018.

Keywords: Compliance; Dental plaque; Interactive power toothbrush; Oral hygiene; Technology; Toothbrushing behavior.

Conflict of interest statement

The Ethic-Commission of the State Medical Association Rhineland-Palatinate, Mainz, Germany [code 837.451.14 (9690)] reviewed and approved the study protocol and subject consent form in advance of the trial, in accordance with the ethical standards laid down in the 1964 Declaration of Helsinki and its later amendments. Each subject and his/her guardian provided written and informed consent prior to participation.

Not applicable

This study was funded by Procter & Gamble. Procter & Gamble participated in the design of the study. The study data was analyzed by a statistician and interpreted partially of Procter & Gamble (JG). Language editing services were supported by Procter & Gamble.

Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Figures

Fig. 1

Example of display of the Oral-B Smartphone application in the “Settings Mode” (A) for “Focus Care” areas and in “Brushing Mode” (B and C)

Fig. 2

Subject flow diagram

Fig. 3

The distribution of Focus Care Areas (FCA) in the subject population by region. Numbers represent the frequency (percentage) of FCAs in each area