A study of gingival irritation and plaque removal following a three-minute toothbrushing

Twenty-five subjects were assessed for plaque and soft tissue safety monitored by gingival irritation the first thing in the morning of day one following no toothbrushing for 12-14 hours. Subjects then brushed with either the Dentrust (manual toothbrush), Crest Complete (manual toothbrush) or Interplak (mechanical toothbrush) for a timed three minutes under supervision. The toothbrush assignments were by a table of random numbers. Following brushing, the subjects were assessed immediately for levels of plaque and gingival irritation. The subjects were then recalled three hours later for another assessment of plaque levels and residual gingival irritation from the morning toothbrushing. After three or four days the subjects were recalled to test an alternate toothbrush. Three or four days later the subjects were recalled to test the final toothbrush. Levels of irritation severity were evaluated using standard soft tissue examination procedures, and after rinsing with disclosing solution and photography, with subsequent blind judging of stain intensity and area on the gingiva by a panel of three experienced investigators. In the first morning assessment there was no significant difference among plaque or gingival appearance or stain uptake levels of the three groups before using the three toothbrushes. Immediately following toothbrushing, the three groups exhibited similar levels of plaque removal and clinical or stain-related gingival irritation. There was no significant statistical difference among the plaque or safety evaluations, although the Interplak toothbrush demonstrated higher irritation levels judged by stain uptake than the manual toothbrushes.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)