Supragingival calculus in children with gastrostomy feeding: significant reduction with a caregiver-applied tartar-control dentifrice.
OBJECTIVE
This study assessed the anti-calculus benefit of Crest Dual Action Whitening Toothpaste in gastrostomy (GT) children compared to a control anti-caries dentifrice.


METHODS
A double-blind randomized crossover design was used to compare the two dentifrices. A convenience sample of 24 GT subjects, 3-12 years old, was given a consensus baseline Volpe-Manhold Index calculus score by 2 trained examiners, followed by a dental prophylaxis to remove all calculus. Each child was randomly assigned to either study or control dentifrice groups. Caregivers brushed subjects' teeth twice daily with the unlabelled dentifrice for at least 45 seconds. Calculus was scored at 8 weeks (+/- 1 week) by the same investigators. Subjects then had a prophylaxis and received the alternative dentifrice. Subjects returned 8 weeks (+/- 1 week) later for final calculus scoring.


RESULTS
The study dentifrice significantly reduced supragingival calculus from baseline by 58% compared to control dentifrice (p<0.005 need exact p-value unless it is <.001; maybe it's reported in the paper). Calculus levels decreased by 68% over the study duration, irrespective of dentifrice. ANOVA found no significant differences in calculus scores based on gender, race, history of reflux, aspiration pneumonia, or oral intake of food. Calculus was significantly related to history of aspiration pneumonia (p<0.05 need exact p-value here).


CONCLUSIONS
Crest Dual Action Whitening Toothpaste was effective and better than anti-caries control dentifrice in reducing calculus in GT children.
Brown
Laurie M
LM
Section of Pediatric Dentistry, The Ohio State University College of Dentistry, Columbus, USA.
Casamassimo
Paul S
PS
Griffen
Ann
A
Tatakis
Dimitris
D
D017028:Caregivers; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D003728:Dental Calculus / Q000145:classification / Q000517:prevention & control*; D003777:Dental Prophylaxis; D003802:Dentifrices / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004750:Enteral Nutrition; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005764:Gastroesophageal Reflux / Q000150:complications; D005774:Gastrostomy; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010710:Phosphates / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011015:Pneumonia, Aspiration / Q000150:complications; D012824:Silicic Acid; D012822:Silicon Dioxide / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012969:Sodium Fluoride / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014099:Toothbrushing / Q000379:methods*; D014100:Toothpastes / Q000627:therapeutic use
C438183:Crest Dual Action Whitening dentifrice; D003802:Dentifrices; D010710:Phosphates; D014100:Toothpastes; C546060:hydrated silica gel-based toothpaste; D012824:Silicic Acid; D012822:Silicon Dioxide; D012969:Sodium Fluoride