Comparative Effectiveness of a 360-Degree Round-Head Toothbrush and a Conventional Manual Toothbrush Among Children:...

This study aimed to evaluate the comparative efficacy of a novel 360-degree round-head toothbrush and a conventional manual toothbrush in plaque removal among children.

Seventy-six children meeting the eligibility criteria participated in this single-center, examiner-blinded, randomized controlled study. Participants were randomized to receive either a 360-degree round-head toothbrush or a conventional manual toothbrush. Children aged 2-5 years had their teeth brushed by their parents, while children aged 6-12 years brushed their own teeth under supervision. Assessments were performed at baseline, after a single brushing, and at 4 weeks using the Silness-Löe Plaque Index (PI), the Simplified Oral Hygiene Index (OHI-S) and the Gingival Index (GI). Differences in scores within each toothbrush group and between the groups were analysed using the paired t-test and the Mann-Whitney U test.

A total of 76 children (n = 40 assigned to the 360-degree round-head toothbrush; n = 36 assigned to the conventional manual toothbrush) completed the single brushing phase. Both toothbrush groups showed significant reductions in PI and OHI-S scores after a single brushing (p < 0.05). The 360-degree round-head toothbrush removed more plaque, notably in children aged 2-5 years. After 4 weeks, 48 children completed the study. Both toothbrush groups showed significant reductions in PI, OHI-S and GI scores (p < 0.05), with the 360-degree round-head toothbrush consistently achieving greater plaque reduction than the conventional manual toothbrush throughout the study period.

The 360-degree round-head toothbrush was more effective than a conventional manual toothbrush in reducing plaque levels, particularly in children with primary dentition and over a 4-week period.

ClinicalTrials.gov, ID: NCT06164496.