Electric and Manual Oral Hygiene Routines Affect Plaque Index Score Differently

Abstract

This cross-sectional study aimed to examine the oral hygiene behaviors in the general population and identify factors affecting oral hygiene behaviors and plaque removal efficacy. A survey was distributed to patients through 11 dental practices in Japan, and each patient’s plaque index score (PIS) was recorded. In total, 1184 patients participated (521 women and 660 men), with 84.04% using manual toothbrushes (MTBs) and 15.96% using electric toothbrushes (ETBs). ETB users had a significantly lower PIS compared to MTB users (p = 0.0017). In addition, a statistically significant difference in the PIS was detected in relation to the frequency of brushing per day (≥2 times) and time spent on brushing (≥1 min). Some MTB users spent less than 1 min brushing, while all ETB users spent at least 1 min brushing, and extended brushing periods significantly improved the PIS for the MTB users. MTB users tend to replace brush heads more frequently than ETB users, and the frequency of replacement affected the PIS significantly (p < 0.01) for the MTB users. The status of dental treatment (first visit, in treatment versus recall) also significantly affected the PIS (p < 0.01). The ETB was more effective than the MTB in terms of better plaque removal and reduced frequency of brush head replacement.

Assessment of the oral health literacy and oral health behaviors among nurses in China: a cross-sectional study

“…The level of oral health literacy has a statistically significant relationship with oral health behaviors such as brushing time, use of fluoride toothpaste, and regular oral examination. Brushing is a basic technique to maintain oral health, and proper brushing can effectively remove most plaque, and research shows that the effect of brushing is closely related to the time spent brushing [ 31 , 32 ]. Based on our data analysis, we found that brushing time was associated with oral health literacy, and it was found that nurses with higher oral health literacy brushed their teeth for a longer period of time.…”

Association between Rheumatoid Arthritis and Poor Self-Perceived Oral Health in Korean Adults

“…In addition, RA patients often had oral pain or discomfort due to poor periodontal conditions and had difficulty brushing their teeth [ 20 ]; gingival bleeding also occurred while brushing teeth and was frequently diagnosed with periodontitis [ 39 ]. If brushing teeth is difficult due to joint motion restrictions, it is recommended to improve oral hygiene by the use of electric toothbrushes [ 40 ].…”

Effect of 125 Hz and 150 Hz vibrational frequency electric toothbrushes on the rate of orthodontic tooth movement and prostaglandin E2 levels

“…Therefore, our study advised patients to brush their teeth for one minute per tooth. 22 The periodontium and alveolar bone change as a result of the forces used to shift teeth during orthodontic treatment. Even when a smaller orthodontic force is used for a longer period, the periodontium becomes inflamed, leading to the resorption of the alveolar bone and, ultimately, tooth displacement.…”