Number, length and end-rounding quality of bristles in manual child and adult toothbrushes.
BACKGROUND
The design of the bristles of a toothbrush can affect the overall efficacy of toothbrushing.


OBJECTIVE
To evaluate and compare a number of selected features associated with the bristle (length, number and end-rounding quality) of manual child and adult toothbrushes.


METHODS
The bristle lengths of 11 child and 29 adult toothbrushes were measured on digital micrographs using open source image analysis software. Bristles of tufts from five regions were counted and classified as acceptable or non-acceptable on stereomicroscopic images according to the end-rounding morphology. The data was evaluated statistically.


RESULTS
The number of bristles were similar in child and adult toothbrushes (P > 0.05). Despite significant differences in bristle end-rounding in some regions (P < 0.05), the overall quality of bristles were similar in child and adult toothbrushes (P > 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
The variations observed in the number, length and end-rounding quality of the bristles indicate inherent shortcomings of a majority of the tested toothbrushes in plaque removal efficacy, along with the potential for irritation on the gums.
Department of Paediatric Dentistry, Hacettepe University Faculty of Dentistry, Ankara, Turkey. melekturgut@yahoo.com
Melek D
MD
Turgut
Tulin I
TI
Keçeli
Bahar
B
Tezel
Zafer C
ZC
Cehreli
Anil
A
Dolgun
Meryem
M
Tekçiçek
D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D003742:Dental Devices, Home Care / Q000009:adverse effects; D003773:Dental Plaque / Q000628:therapy; D004867:Equipment Design; D005881:Gingiva / Q000293:injuries; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D014099:Toothbrushing / Q000295:instrumentation*