title: Toothbrush age, wear, and plaque control.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study aims to assess the effect of toothbrush age and wear on plaque control.
  
  
  METHODS
  36 dental students were recruited for the 3-month double blind trail. Each participant received commercially purchased soft toothbrush and nonfluoridated toothpaste. Group I (n= 18) used the same brush for 3 months and Group II (n=18) replaced the brush every month. Toothbrush wear was recorded using Rawls formula (1989) and Plaque score was recorded using Patient Hygiene Performance index (1968). Recalls for the participants were scheduled after 1 (T1), 2 (T2) and 3 months (T3).
  
  
  METHODS
  Results indicated that the toothbrush wear varied widely amongst the participants. 25-62% wear was observed in Group I and 6-24% in Group II. The participants using the same toothbrush for 3-months did not exhibit statistically significant different plaque scores compared to those who replaced their toothbrush every month. Toothbrush age and wear was not related to plaque control.
authors.affiliation: Department of Preventive and Community Dentistry, KLES Institute of Dental Sciences, Belgaum, Karnataka. pradnyahegde@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Pradnya P
authors.initials: PP
authors.lastname: Hegde
authors.forename: Kumar B R
authors.initials: KB
authors.lastname: Ashok
authors.forename: Anil V
authors.initials: AV
authors.lastname: Ankola
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D004396:Coloring Agents; D003773:Dental Plaque / Q000145:classification / Q000517:prevention & control*; D003774:Dental Plaque Index; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004867:Equipment Design; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D013499:Surface Properties; D013997:Time Factors; D014099:Toothbrushing / Q000295:instrumentation*
chemical_list: D004396:Coloring Agents