Effects of Using Ultrasound Toothbrush on Oral Hygiene

Objectives: To identify the effects of using an ultrasound toothbrush on the oral hygiene of healthy people.
Methods: This study was a randomised-controlled and single-blind trial. Forty-three first-year dental hygiene students were randomly divided into three groups and used an modified or unmodified ultrasound toothbrush for eight weeks (2 times/day, 3 min) after being given tooth brushing instruction. Participants in the Manual group used a modified toothbrush with the ultrasound deactivated; those in the Ultrasound group used an unmodified toothbrush in ultrasound mode (ultrasound frequency: 1.6 MHz); those in the POP + Ultrasound group received professional oral prophylaxis (POP) and used an unmodified toothbrush in ultrasound mode. The plaque index (PlI) and gingival index (GI) were assessed at four and eight weeks. Before every examination, the participants answered the profile of mood state (second-edition, POMS2) questionnaire and the General Health Questionnaire (30 item version, GHQ-30). The POMS2 scores were converted into T-scores. The Wilcoxon signed-rank test was used for intra-group analysis. The Kruskal-Wallis test and Wilcoxon rank-um test were used to evaluate inter-group differences.
Results: A significant decrease in the PlI scores was found for the Ultrasound group at eight weeks (p<0.01). The POP + Ultrasound group had a significant decrease in the GI scores at four weeks (p<0.05) and at eight weeks (p<0.01). The Manual and Ultrasound groups had a significant decrease in the GI scores at eight weeks (p<0.05). Although the GI scores for the Ultrasound group tended to show a decrease at four weeks (p<0.1), the difference was not significant. The T-scores and GHQ-30 scores decreased significantly for the Ultrasound group (p<0.05), which differed significantly from that for the POP + Ultrasound group (p<0.05).
Conclusions:
Using an ultrasound toothbrush for more than eight weeks probably improves gingival health. Ultrasound also has additional effects on plaque removal.