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Acceptability of powered toothbrushes for elderly individuals
Suchita Verma1, K Mahalinga Bhat
1Dental Department, Government Medical College and Hospital, Sector 32, Chandigarh 160011, India. drsuchita@yahoo.com
Journal of Public Health Dentistry
|June 8, 2004
Summary
Powered toothbrushes significantly outperform manual ones in reducing plaque and gingivitis for older adults. They offer an accessible oral hygiene solution for the elderly population.
Area of Science:
- Geriatric Dentistry
- Oral Hygiene Research
Background:
- Elderly individuals often face challenges maintaining optimal oral hygiene.
- Assessing effective tools for supragingival plaque removal and gingival health in seniors is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy of powered toothbrushes versus manual toothbrushes in elderly individuals.
- To compare plaque removal and gingival health improvements between the two toothbrush types.
Main Methods:
- A crossover clinical trial involved 14 participants aged 68-85 with moderate gingivitis.
- Participants used both manual and powered toothbrushes for three months each, with Plaque Index and Gingival Index scores recorded periodically.
Main Results:
- Powered toothbrushes demonstrated superior effectiveness in plaque removal compared to manual toothbrushes.
- Significant improvements in gingival health were observed with powered toothbrush use.
Conclusions:
- Powered toothbrushes are a highly effective alternative for supragingival plaque control and gingivitis management in the elderly.
- Their ease of use makes them suitable for individuals who may lack manual dexterity.