title: Biofilm removal and gingival abrasion with medium and soft toothbrushes.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To compare the removal of dental biofilm with soft and medium filament toothbrushes.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty-five patients refrained from performing mechanical or chemical plaque control for 96 hours prior to the experiment in order to allow dental biofilm accumulation on the tooth surfaces. After the period of dental biofilm accumulation, quadrants were randomised and participants brushed different quadrants with soft and medium toothbrushes, with or without dentifrice. After plaque disclosure, the Quigley-Hein (Turesky) plaque index was assessed by a blinded examiner before and after toothbrushing. In addition, photographs before and after brushing were taken for evaluation of gingival abrasion.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The results revealed that medium toothbrushes removed high amounts of dental biofilm compared to soft toothbrushes (P < 0.05). Considering gingival abrasion, intergroup analysis demonstrated a statistically significant difference on the cervical regions, with a higher proportion of abrasions in the medium toothbrush group (P < 0.01).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Medium toothbrushes have a greater ability to remove biofilm and cause gingival abrasion than do soft toothbrushes.
authors.affiliation: Franciscan University Center, Santa Maria, RS, Brazil. fabriciobzanatta@yahoo.com.br
authors.forename: Fabrício Batistin
authors.initials: FB
authors.lastname: Zanatta
authors.forename: Anieli Dossa
authors.initials: AD
authors.lastname: Bergoli
authors.forename: Stefanie Bressan
authors.initials: SB
authors.lastname: Werle
authors.forename: Raquel Pippi
authors.initials: RP
authors.lastname: Antoniazzi
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D018441:Biofilms; D003742:Dental Devices, Home Care / Q000009:adverse effects; D003773:Dental Plaque / Q000628:therapy*; D003774:Dental Plaque Index; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D005881:Gingiva / Q000293:injuries*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D015588:Observer Variation; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D014099:Toothbrushing / Q000295:instrumentation*; D055815:Young Adult