Plaque Removal Efficacy of Electric Toothbrushes in ADHD

A total of 52 children, 26 of whom were diagnosed with ADHD, as the experimental group and 26 of whom were healthy, as the control group, were included in the study. Intraoral examination of the children was performed in a dental chair. Standard coding systems and tools developed by the World Health Organization were used to collect data in calculating the criteria for oral health. Soft tissues, tongue, cheek, and palate area were checked in each examination period. Intraoral examination was performed carefully, from the distal right maxillary molars to the most distal right mandibular molars. If there was no cavitation with white spot lesions and black/dark and bright discolorations were considered healthy. According to the DMFT index (Decayed, Missing, and Filled Teeth Index) with the obtained records, DMFT values for permanent teeth and dft values for primary teeth were calculated.

Randomization of the patients to determine the subgroups was carried out by the physician who performed the first examination (B.M.A) using a computer program called www.Random.org (Randomness and Integrity Services Ltd., Ireland). In order to evaluate the effectiveness of electric and manual toothbrushes, each group was divided into 2 subgroups according to the types of brush (electric and manual). There are a total of 4 subgroups in the study. In the manual toothbrush subgroups, the children had a demonstration of how to brush with the Bass Technique on the model. The electric toothbrush subgroups had a demonstration about how to brush their teeth with an electric toothbrush according to the manufacturer's instructions on the model. During the study, children brushed their teeth at home under parental supervision. It is instructed to brush teeth for 2 minutes 2 times a day. During the study period, Sensodyne Promine Kids (GlaxoSmithKline Brazil Ltda, Jacarepagua, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil) were given to children. In both the experimental and control groups and their parents had received instruction to avoid oral hygiene procedures such as flossing and using mouthwash during the study period, except tooth brushing.

After randomization, at the first appointment, Löe-Silness Gingival Index values were recorded in all fully erupted permanent teeth and primary teeth without exfoliation. In order to determine the amount of dental plaque before the first brushing, Mira-2-Ton Plaque Staining Solution (Hager Werken, Germany) was applied to the labial and lingual surfaces of all teeth with a micro brush, and then the children were asked to rinse their mouths with water for 30 seconds. After plaque discoloration, the Approximal Plaque Index and the Turesky Modification of Quigley-Hein Plaque Index values were recorded. The children brushed their teeth in front of a mirror for 2 minutes with the toothbrushes according to subgroups, under the supervision of a physician who was not included in the study. To determine the amount of plaque removal after the first brushing, plaque discoloration was performed again. The Turesky modification of the Quigley-Hein Plaque Index and the Approximal Plaque Index measurements were recorded. The same procedures were repeated to evaluate the brushing habits at the 1st-month and 3rd-month, respectively.

Inclusion criteria

• Having not had oral prophylaxis in the last 1 month
• Taking not antibiotics within the last 1 month
• Having not had severe periodontal disease and dental caries
• Having no pain symptoms due to caries in any of their teeth,
• Not using any orthodontic appliances
• Not using an electric toothbrush before
• Having at least 16 teeth in the mouth

Exclusion criteria

• Have a complex medical history
• Have psychiatric illness other than attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder