Efficacy of Soft-Bristle Toothbrush In Plaque Removal: Randomized Controlled Trial

Objectives: The aim of the present examiner-blind randomized controlled clinical study was to compare the efficacy of two soft-bristle toothbrushes for plaque removal.
Methods: Seventy volunteers were randomly allocated to the Colgate PerioGard or Oral B Indicator toothbrush groups. At baseline appointment, volunteers underwent plaque examination using the Stewart Modification of the Navy Plaque Index. Under supervision, they brushed their teeth for 1 minute with their assigned toothbrushes and the plaque examination was repeated. Volunteers performed daily oral hygiene with their assigned toothbrush and a regular dentifrice provided by the researchers for 7 days. The baseline experimental procedures were then repeated. Separate statistical analyses were performed for mean plaque reduction in the whole-mouth, interproximal, and gumline scores at both time points (t-test, p < 0.05).
Results: After a single toothbrushing, at baseline, the mean plaque score was significantly reduced in both groups (p < 0.05), with statistically greater reductions (-1.16±0.34 vs. -0.68±0.38) of whole-mouth, gum line (- 0.92±0.32 vs. -0.56±0.32) and interproximal (-1.12±0.38 vs. -0.57±0.39) for Periogard and Indicator toothbrushes, respectively. At day 7, also the same results were found with higher plaque reductions for the Periogard toothbrush group in the 3 analyses.
Conclusions: In conclusion, the Colgate Periogard toothbrush® presented greater efficacy in supragingival plaque removal than the Oral B Indicator toothbrush®, as reflected by whole-mouth, gum line and interproximal plaque scores.