title: Comparative analysis of the plaque removal ability of .007 and .008 toothbrush bristles.
abstract: A two-phase study was conducted to compare the plaque-removal effectiveness of a .007 toothbrush and a .008 toothbrush when used in an unsupervised home-care program. In the first phase of the study, two children's toothbrushes, a .007 toothbrush (POH Junior #8) and a .008 toothbrush (Allie-Croc), were compared in a population of third through sixth grade children. The .007 group had a greater reduction of plaque from pretest to post-test than the .008 group in all grades, with statistically significant differences favoring the .007 toothbrush for fourth and sixth grades. In phase two a .007 adult toothbrush (POH #4) was compared to a .008 adult toothbrush (Oral B 40) in a population of nursing and dental hygiene students. Both toothbrushes performed equally well with a significant decrease in plaque and gingival inflammation observed from pretest to post-test regardless of toothbrush used. Any changes in soft-tissue abrasion were negligible and not statistically significant. Based on the results of this study, both brushes appear to be safe and effective and can be recommended with confidence.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dental Hygiene, Texas Woman's University, Denton.
authors.forename: C F
authors.initials: CF
authors.lastname: Beatty
authors.forename: P A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Fallon
authors.forename: D D
authors.initials: DD
authors.lastname: Marshall
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D003773:Dental Plaque / Q000517:prevention & control*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D014099:Toothbrushing / Q000295:instrumentation*