A 3-month comparative investigation of the safety and efficacy of a new toothbrush: results from two independent clinical studies.
OBJECTIVE
To compare the efficacy of a new toothbrush featuring a novel brush head design with those of two established toothbrushes by measuring plaque and gingivitis over a period of 12 weeks.


METHODS
The Oral-B CrossAction toothbrush was compared with the Dr. Best InterDent and Crest DeepSweep toothbrushes in two independent, parallel-group, examiner-blind clinical studies. Each study involved approximately 100 healthy individuals from a general population. At baseline, after 23-25 hrs of no oral hygiene, oral hard and soft tissues were examined and whole mouth, marginal and approximal plaque scores and whole mouth gingivitis scores were recorded. Subjects in the two studies were asked to use their assigned toothbrush twice a day. No instruction in brushing technique or brushing time was given. After a period of 6 weeks and finally after 12 weeks, subjects in the studies were reassessed for oral tissue status, and their plaque and gingival indices were rescored.


RESULTS
In each of the two studies, the tested toothbrushes significantly reduced levels of plaque and gingivitis. The CrossAction toothbrush was, however, more effective in reducing both plaque and gingivitis over 12 weeks, the differences in favor of the CrossAction being statistically significant. All the toothbrushes tested in this investigation were found to be safe with no evidence of hard or soft tissue trauma.
Sharma
N C
NC
BioSci Research Canada, Ltd., Mississauga, Ontario. nsharma@biosci-canada.com
Qaqish
J G
JG
Galustians
H J
HJ
King
D W
DW
Low
M A
MA
Jacobs
D M
DM
Weber
D A
DA
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D002327:Cariostatic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003773:Dental Plaque / Q000145:classification / Q000473:pathology / Q000517:prevention & control; D003774:Dental Plaque Index; D003802:Dentifrices / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004867:Equipment Design; D004923:Erythrosine; D005456:Fluorescent Dyes; D005459:Fluorides / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005891:Gingivitis / Q000145:classification / Q000517:prevention & control; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D010512:Periodontal Index; D012449:Safety; D012824:Silicic Acid; D012822:Silicon Dioxide; D016037:Single-Blind Method; D012969:Sodium Fluoride; D014070:Tooth / Q000473:pathology; D014099:Toothbrushing / Q000295:instrumentation*; D014100:Toothpastes; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D002327:Cariostatic Agents; D003802:Dentifrices; D005456:Fluorescent Dyes; D014100:Toothpastes; C546060:hydrated silica gel-based toothpaste; D012824:Silicic Acid; D012822:Silicon Dioxide; D012969:Sodium Fluoride; D004923:Erythrosine; D005459:Fluorides