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Completed

NCT Number: NCT06541743

Efficacy of Regular, Musical and Electric Toothbrushes in Plaque Removal in Children

Tooth brushing is essential for maintaining oral hygiene, especially in children, who are at a critical stage for developing lifelong oral health habits. Establishing effective tooth brushing behaviors for school-aged children (6-12 years) is vital for long-term dental health. Consistent and effective tooth brushing is crucial for reducing supragingival plaque, which is key to preventing periodontal diseases and ensuring good oral hygiene. Despite the availability of various plaque control methods, tooth brushing remains the most effective and safest approach.

However, young children, particularly those under ten, often struggle with the dexterity and motivation needed for proper tooth brushing, resulting in inadequate plaque removal. Manual tooth brushing, though effective, can become monotonous and fail to engage children, making it difficult to establish regular brushing habits. Studies have shown that regular removal of supragingival plaque can significantly reduce both supra- and subgingival pathogenic species, underscoring the importance of effective plaque control.

Innovative solutions such as electric and musical toothbrushes have been developed to address these challenges.

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Key information

Conditions

Children, Adult Pathological Conditions, Anatomical Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms Plaque Plaque, Amyloid

Age range

6 year–12 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

College of Dentistry, Jouf University

Sakakah, Al Jawf Region, 75432, Saudi Arabia

About this study

Electric toothbrushes enhance plaque removal through mechanical action, while musical toothbrushes aim to boost motivation and compliance by incorporating interactive elements like music and colorful designs. Musical toothbrushes play music for two minutes, encouraging children to brush for the recommended duration and making the activity more enjoyable. Previous research has shown varying levels of success with these advanced toothbrushes. For example, one of the recent study have found that musical toothbrushes significantly improved plaque control compared to regular ones. Similarly, other studies have reported substantial plaque reduction with musical toothbrushes. Furthermore, it has been observed that while both manual and powered toothbrushes improved clinical parameters, powered toothbrushes had a more significant impact on gingival health.

Despite these promising results, there is a lack of comprehensive comparative studies on the efficacy of regular, electric, and musical toothbrushes in children. This study aimed to address this gap by conducting a randomized clinical trial to evaluate and compare the effectiveness of these three types of toothbrushes in removing supragingival plaque in children aged 6-12 years.

To the best of our knowledge, this is the first clinical study wherein the comparisons had been made between regular, musical and electric toothbrushes. The findings will provide valuable insights into the most effective tools for promoting oral hygiene in children, potentially shaping future recommendations and practices in pediatric dentistry.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • Children aged 6-12 years;
  • Cooperative children; and
  • Children with a minimum of twenty teeth

Exclusion criteria

  • Children with poor oral hygiene characterized by extrinsic stains or calculus deposits;
  • Presence of any oral lesions;
  • Presence of malocclusion; and
  • Medically compromised patients

Treatment and study plan

Regular Toothbrush

Device

Participants and their guardians will be instructed in the horizontal scrub technique and asked to adhere to a brushing regimen of two minutes, twice daily, for 45 days. Standard fluoride toothpaste and a diary for recording brushing experiences will also provided. Guardians will be supervised brushing to ensure compliance and prevent the use of other oral hygiene measures.

Musical toothbrush

Device

Participants and their guardians will be instructed in the horizontal scrub technique and asked to adhere to a brushing regimen of two minutes, twice daily, for 45 days. Standard fluoride toothpaste and a diary for recording brushing experiences will also provided. Guardians will be supervised brushing to ensure compliance and prevent the use of other oral hygiene measures.

Electric toothbrush

Device

Participants and their guardians will be instructed in the horizontal scrub technique and asked to adhere to a brushing regimen of two minutes, twice daily, for 45 days. Standard fluoride toothpaste and a diary for recording brushing experiences will also provided. Guardians will be supervised brushing to ensure compliance and prevent the use of other oral hygiene measures.

Primary outcomes

  1. Plaque Index (Quigley and Hein)

    Time frame: 45 days

    Plaque assessments was conducted at baseline (day 0) and on days 15, 30, and 45. Participants were refrain from oral hygiene for 24 hours before each recall visit. During each visit, they were supposed to brush under supervision for two minutes with their assigned toothbrush and toothpaste. Plaque disclosure was achieved using a 5 mL disclosing solution for 15 seconds, followed by rinsing with 10 mL water for 10 seconds.

    Quigley-Hain plaque index

    0

    No plaque

    1

    Isolated flecks of plaque at the gingival margin

    2

    A continuous band of plaque up to 1mm at the gingival margin

    3

    Plaque greater than 1mm in width and covering up to one third of the tooth surface

    4

    Plaque covering from one thirds to two thirds of the tooth surface

    5

    Plaque covering more than two thirds of the tooth surface

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Jouf University

Other

Registry information

Official study title

Efficacy of Regular, Musical and Electric Toothbrushes in Plaque Removal in Children - A Randomized Clinical Trial

Important dates

Study start
2024
Primary completion
2024
Study completion
2024
First posted
Aug 7, 2024
Registry last updated
Aug 7, 2024

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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