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Toothbrush Design and Developmental Characteristics Influencing Plaque Removal in 7-Year-Old Children: A Randomized
Ece Baysan Maşızade1, Ezgi Baltacı1,2, Nazlı Durmuş1
1Department of Paediatric Dentistry, Faculty of Dentistry, Trakya University, Edirne, Türkiye.
International Journal of Paediatric Dentistry
|August 11, 2026
Summary
Powered and triple-headed toothbrushes significantly improve plaque removal in 7-year-olds compared to manual brushes. Gross motor skills may impact the effectiveness of powered toothbrushing, requiring further research.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Dentistry
- Oral Hygiene Research
- Clinical Trials
Background:
- Limited evidence exists comparing different toothbrush designs and their effectiveness in children.
- The impact of children's developmental abilities on brushing performance is not well understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate and compare the plaque removal efficacy of three distinct toothbrush types in 7-year-old children.
- To determine if children's developmental characteristics influence their brushing performance.
Main Methods:
- A single-blind, randomized, three-period crossover trial involving 60 children aged 7.
- Participants used conventional manual, triple-headed manual, and rechargeable powered toothbrushes.
- Plaque levels were measured using the modified Quigley-Hein Plaque Index and Approximal Plaque Index.
Main Results:
- Powered and triple-headed toothbrushes demonstrated significantly greater plaque reduction than conventional manual brushes (p < 0.001).
- No significant difference in efficacy was observed between powered and triple-headed manual toothbrushes (p = 0.963).
- Children with gross motor difficulties exhibited reduced plaque removal with powered toothbrushes (p = 0.048).
Conclusions:
- Both powered and triple-headed toothbrushes are more effective for plaque removal in 7-year-old children than conventional manual toothbrushes.
- Gross motor skills may play a role in the performance of powered toothbrushes, suggesting a need for further investigation.
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