Effect of toothbrush stimulation on temperature of gingival and alveolar mucosae.
Thermometry was used to study the effect of applying a toothbrush to three types of oral mucosae, in forty dental students. Brushing with an electric tooth brush resulted in an immediate fall in temperature, but 3 min later the temperature was significantly higher than before stimulation. The temperature changes were greater in gingival crevice and attached gingiva compared with alveolar mucosa. Moreover, it was found that a static application of the toothbrush produced temperature changes which were equal to those following a dynamic application.
D000328:Adult; D000539:Alveolar Process / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D005260:Female; D005881:Gingiva / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009061:Mouth Mucosa / Q000502:physiology*; D010812:Physical Stimulation; D013696:Temperature; D013821:Thermometers; D013997:Time Factors; D014099:Toothbrushing / Q000295:instrumentation*