Evaluation of Perceived Brushing Sensation

The aim of this study was to identify which factors influenced the perceived brushing sensation of different manual toothbrushes. A total of 23 dental hygiene students from a vocational school in the Kanto region of Japan evaluated five commercially available toothbrushes through paired comparisons across 16 sensory and functional attributes. An exploratory factor analysis was conducted to determine the underlying structure of the 16 items measuring perceived brushing sensation. Two distinct factors were identified: one reflecting tactile and functional characteristics, such as firmness and plaque removal, and another associated with usability and post-brushing sensation, including head size and feelings of freshness. The findings of this study suggest that the perceived brushing sensation of manual toothbrushes is influenced primarily by bristle hardness and brush head dimensions.