T-shaped toothbrush for plaque removal and gingival health in children: a randomized controlled trial

Noraida Mamat, Shani Ann Mani, Mahmoud Danaee, Noraida Mamat, Shani Ann Mani, Mahmoud Danaee

Abstract

Background: To evaluate an experimental T-shaped toothbrush for plaque removal and gingival health when compared to a conventional toothbrush among children.

Methods: This single blind parallel randomized controlled trial was conducted on 8-10-year-old healthy schoolchildren with no history of recent antibiotic intake, proximal caries or more than 3 missing teeth per quadrant. A computer-generated randomization list allocated child to the 2 groups. Each child received detailed instructions for tooth brushing. Gingival health and plaque scores were recorded in school at baseline, 2 weeks, 1 month and 3 months in a portable dental chair by an examiner who was blind to the allocated toothbrush. A general feedback on the use of the T-shaped toothbrush was obtained at 3 months. Data was analyzed using two-way repeated measure ANOVA, Generalized estimating equation and Bonferroni test.

Results: A total of 195 eligible children were invited, 110 parents gave consent and 100 children completed the study; 50 in each group. There were statistically significant reductions in mean gingival and plaque scores at each visit when compared to baseline for both toothbrushes (p < 0.05). There were no statistically significant differences between scores for the two toothbrushes at each visit (p > 0.05). Majority of participants gave positive feedback regarding the T-shaped toothbrush.

Conclusions: Both toothbrushes had similar efficacy in removing plaque and improving gingival health among children. The T-shaped toothbrush is an alternative to the conventional toothbrush for oral hygiene in children. Trial registration Retrospectively registered at ClinicalTrials.gov Registry-NCT03989479 18/06/2019.

Keywords: Children; Gingival health; Oral hygiene; Plaque removal; Toothbrush.

Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare that they have no competing interests.

© 2022. The Author(s).

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
a and b Anterior and lateral view of brush head of T-shaped toothbrush (Denson™, Malaysia)
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
a and b Anterior and lateral view of brush head of conventional toothbrush (Kid’s Soft Toothbrush, Colgate)
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
Flow of the participants during the study
Fig. 4
Fig. 4
Differences in plaque score between age groups for both toothbrushes at each visit
Fig. 5
Fig. 5
Mean plaque score for both regular and T shaped toothbrushes across time
Fig. 6
Fig. 6
Mean gingival score for both regular and T shaped toothbrushes across time

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