{"title":"Toothbrush Design and Developmental Characteristics Influencing Plaque Removal in 7-Year-Old Children: A Randomized Crossover Trial.","authors":"Ece Baysan Maşızade, Ezgi Baltacı, Nazlı Durmuş, Selçuk Korkmaz, Neslihan Özveren","doi":"10.1111/ipd.70137","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Evidence comparing toothbrush designs and the influence of children's developmental abilities on brushing performance is limited.</p><p><strong>Aim: </strong>To compare the plaque-removal efficacy of three toothbrush types in 7-year-old children and to assess whether developmental characteristics affect brushing performance.</p><p><strong>Design: </strong>This single-blind, randomized, three-period crossover clinical trial included 60 typically developing 7-year-old children. Participants used a conventional manual, triple-headed manual, and rechargeable powered toothbrush in randomized order with washout periods. Plaque was assessed using the modified Quigley-Hein Plaque Index and the Approximal Plaque Index. Developmental characteristics were evaluated using the parent-reported Five-to-Fifteen questionnaire.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Mean plaque reduction differed significantly among toothbrush types. Powered (1.833 ± 0.705) and triple-headed manual toothbrushes (1.802 ± 0.678) achieved greater plaque reduction than the conventional manual toothbrush (1.310 ± 0.563; both p < 0.001), with no difference between powered and triple-headed brushes (p = 0.963). Approximal plaque removal was highest with the powered toothbrush, reaching 75% complete removal on posterior vestibular surfaces (p ≤ 0.016). Children with gross motor difficulties showed lower reduction with the powered toothbrush than children without such difficulties (p = 0.048).</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Powered and triple-headed toothbrushes are more effective than conventional manual brushes in 7-year-old children, with equivalent efficacy. Exploratory analyses suggest gross motor skills may influence powered toothbrush performance, warranting confirmation in adequately powered studies.</p><p><strong>Trial registration: </strong>The study was registered retrospectively with the Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ANZCTR; ACTRN12626000023358).</p>","PeriodicalId":14268,"journal":{"name":"International journal of paediatric dentistry","volume":" ","pages":"796-804"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2000,"publicationDate":"2026-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":"0","resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"International journal of paediatric dentistry","FirstCategoryId":"3","ListUrlMain":"https://doi.org/10.1111/ipd.70137","RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"2026/8/10 0:00:00","PubModel":"Epub","JCR":"Q2","JCRName":"DENTISTRY, ORAL SURGERY & MEDICINE","Score":null,"Total":0}
引用次数: 0
Abstract
Background: Evidence comparing toothbrush designs and the influence of children's developmental abilities on brushing performance is limited.
Aim: To compare the plaque-removal efficacy of three toothbrush types in 7-year-old children and to assess whether developmental characteristics affect brushing performance.
Design: This single-blind, randomized, three-period crossover clinical trial included 60 typically developing 7-year-old children. Participants used a conventional manual, triple-headed manual, and rechargeable powered toothbrush in randomized order with washout periods. Plaque was assessed using the modified Quigley-Hein Plaque Index and the Approximal Plaque Index. Developmental characteristics were evaluated using the parent-reported Five-to-Fifteen questionnaire.
Results: Mean plaque reduction differed significantly among toothbrush types. Powered (1.833 ± 0.705) and triple-headed manual toothbrushes (1.802 ± 0.678) achieved greater plaque reduction than the conventional manual toothbrush (1.310 ± 0.563; both p < 0.001), with no difference between powered and triple-headed brushes (p = 0.963). Approximal plaque removal was highest with the powered toothbrush, reaching 75% complete removal on posterior vestibular surfaces (p ≤ 0.016). Children with gross motor difficulties showed lower reduction with the powered toothbrush than children without such difficulties (p = 0.048).
Conclusion: Powered and triple-headed toothbrushes are more effective than conventional manual brushes in 7-year-old children, with equivalent efficacy. Exploratory analyses suggest gross motor skills may influence powered toothbrush performance, warranting confirmation in adequately powered studies.
Trial registration: The study was registered retrospectively with the Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ANZCTR; ACTRN12626000023358).
期刊介绍：
The International Journal of Paediatric Dentistry was formed in 1991 by the merger of the Journals of the International Association of Paediatric Dentistry and the British Society of Paediatric Dentistry and is published bi-monthly. It has true international scope and aims to promote the highest standard of education, practice and research in paediatric dentistry world-wide.
International Journal of Paediatric Dentistry publishes papers on all aspects of paediatric dentistry including: growth and development, behaviour management, diagnosis, prevention, restorative treatment and issue relating to medically compromised children or those with disabilities. This peer-reviewed journal features scientific articles, reviews, case reports, clinical techniques, short communications and abstracts of current paediatric dental research. Analytical studies with a scientific novelty value are preferred to descriptive studies. Case reports illustrating unusual conditions and clinically relevant observations are acceptable but must be of sufficiently high quality to be considered for publication; particularly the illustrative material must be of the highest quality.
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