Mechanical Devices (TOOTHBRUSHES & DENTAL FLOSS)
Place in Therapy
Place in Therapy
The use of mechanical devices, including toothbrushes and dental floss, are an essential part of plaque removal for the treatment and prevention of gingivitis, and should be a part of everyone’s oral hygiene (1,2,6). Both mechanical and powered toothbrushes provide equally effective oral hygiene if used correctly, but patients who have dexterity problems may benefit more from the use of a powered design (2,3,4,5). The rotation oscillation powered toothbrush, where brush head rotates in one direction and then the other, has been shown to be statistically better at reducing plaque than manual brushes but long-term benefits are still unclear (2,3). Waxed or unwaxed floss are equally effective when used once daily (2).
References:
1. Ghilzon R. University of Toronto Faculty of Dentistry. Gingivitis and Periodonitis. Available at http://www.dentistry.utoronto.ca/dpes/periodontic/ patients/gingivitis-and-periodontitis-patient, Accessed 2013 June 12.
2. Repchinsky C, Hutsul JA, Jovaisas B, Lewis G, Perrier H, Riachi M, eds. et al. Patient Self-Care. 2nd ed. Ottawa: Canadian Pharmacists Association; 2010.
3. Deery C, Heanue M, Deacon S, Robinson PG, Walmsley AD, Worthington H, et al. The effectiveness of manual versus powered toothbrushes for dental health: a systematic review. J Dentistry. 2004 March;32(3):197-211. Review. PubMed PMID: 15001285.
4. Jain Y. A comparison of the efficacy of powered and manual toothbrushes in controlling plaque and gingivitis: a clinical study. Clin Cosmet Investig Dent. 2013 Feb 27; 5:3-9. PubMed PMID: 236742927.
5. LK Gomes, CF Sarmento, FR Seabra, PB Santos, FH Pinheiro. Randomized clinical controlled trial on the effectiveness of conventional and orthodontic manual toothbrushes. Braz Oral Res. 2012 Jul-Aug; 26(4):360-5.
6. The New York Times Health Guide: Gingivitis – In-Depth Report: Prevention. A.D.A.M., Inc. Available at: http://health.nytimes.com/health/guides/disease/ gingivitis/prevention.html. Accessed June 12, 2013.
The use of mechanical devices, including toothbrushes and dental floss, are an essential part of plaque removal for the treatment and prevention of gingivitis, and should be a part of everyone’s oral hygiene (1,2,6). Both mechanical and powered toothbrushes provide equally effective oral hygiene if used correctly, but patients who have dexterity problems may benefit more from the use of a powered design (2,3,4,5). The rotation oscillation powered toothbrush, where brush head rotates in one direction and then the other, has been shown to be statistically better at reducing plaque than manual brushes but long-term benefits are still unclear (2,3). Waxed or unwaxed floss are equally effective when used once daily (2).
References:
1. Ghilzon R. University of Toronto Faculty of Dentistry. Gingivitis and Periodonitis. Available at http://www.dentistry.utoronto.ca/dpes/periodontic/ patients/gingivitis-and-periodontitis-patient, Accessed 2013 June 12.
2. Repchinsky C, Hutsul JA, Jovaisas B, Lewis G, Perrier H, Riachi M, eds. et al. Patient Self-Care. 2nd ed. Ottawa: Canadian Pharmacists Association; 2010.
3. Deery C, Heanue M, Deacon S, Robinson PG, Walmsley AD, Worthington H, et al. The effectiveness of manual versus powered toothbrushes for dental health: a systematic review. J Dentistry. 2004 March;32(3):197-211. Review. PubMed PMID: 15001285.
4. Jain Y. A comparison of the efficacy of powered and manual toothbrushes in controlling plaque and gingivitis: a clinical study. Clin Cosmet Investig Dent. 2013 Feb 27; 5:3-9. PubMed PMID: 236742927.
5. LK Gomes, CF Sarmento, FR Seabra, PB Santos, FH Pinheiro. Randomized clinical controlled trial on the effectiveness of conventional and orthodontic manual toothbrushes. Braz Oral Res. 2012 Jul-Aug; 26(4):360-5.
6. The New York Times Health Guide: Gingivitis – In-Depth Report: Prevention. A.D.A.M., Inc. Available at: http://health.nytimes.com/health/guides/disease/ gingivitis/prevention.html. Accessed June 12, 2013.