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Updated: May 22, 2026
08:47
Mimicking and Measuring Occlusal Erosive Tooth Wear with the "Rub&Roll" and Non-contact Profilometry
Published on: February 2, 2018
A graphic tool to help consumers determine when to replace a toothbrush: a cohort study
Michèle Muller-Bolla1, Alexandra Repetto, Ana Miriam Velly
1Department of Dental Public Health, Nice Sophia Antipolis University, Centre Hospitalo-Universitaire de Nice, Nice, France. michele.muller@unice.fr
International Dental Journal
|May 10, 2012
Summary
A new drawing visually represents toothbrush wear, helping adults determine when to replace their manual toothbrush for optimal oral hygiene. This simple tool aids in timely toothbrush replacement.
Area of Science:
- Oral hygiene practices
- Dental product longevity
Background:
- Manual toothbrushes degrade with use, potentially reducing cleaning efficacy.
- Establishing a consistent toothbrush replacement schedule is crucial for effective plaque removal.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and validate a visual aid for determining optimal manual toothbrush replacement time.
- To correlate toothbrush wear with a standardized wear index (WI).
Main Methods:
- A two-phase cohort study (50 subjects, then 30) was conducted.
- Toothbrush wear was quantified using a wear index (WI) and image analysis.
- A reference drawing was created by superimposing images of worn toothbrushes.
Main Results:
- The developed drawing showed consistent wear index and usage duration across study phases.
- Residual plaque index was significantly lower with new toothbrushes compared to worn ones.
- The visual representation of toothbrush wear was validated.
Conclusions:
- A simple drawing can effectively guide adults on when to replace their manual toothbrush.
- This visual tool supports consistent and timely toothbrush replacement for improved oral health.
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