title: Efficacy of homecare regimens for mechanical plaque removal in managing gingivitis a meta review.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Based on evidence as presented in systematic reviews what is the efficacy and safety of available homecare toothbrush regimens for mechanical plaque removal on plaque and gingivitis in adults?
  
  
  METHODS
  Three Internet sources were used (up to and including August 2014) to search for appropriate papers that satisfied the study purpose. Plaque scores and gingivitis scores were considered to be the primary parameter of interest. Safety was considered an important facet in relation to efficacy. Data and conclusions as presented in the selected papers were extracted. The potential risk of bias was estimated and the emerging evidence was graded.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Independent screening of 176 unique reviews resulted in 10 published and eligible systematic reviews. They were categorized into one review evaluating the effect of an oral hygiene instruction with a toothbrush on plaque and gingivitis scores, five evaluating the efficacy of manual and power toothbrushes and three reviews evaluating toothbrush safety and one evaluating toothbrush contamination.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Tooth brushing is effective in reducing levels of dental plaque. With respect to gingivitis power toothbrushes have a benefit over manual toothbrushes. The greatest body of evidence was available for oscillating-rotating brushes. Tooth brushing generally can be considered safe for the teeth and their investing tissues.
authors.affiliation: Department of Periodontology, Academic Centre for Dentistry Amsterdam (ACTA), Amsterdam, The Netherlands; Clinic for Periodontology Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Fridus A
authors.initials: FA
authors.lastname: Van der Weijden
authors.forename: Dagmar E
authors.initials: DE
authors.lastname: Slot
mesh_terms: D003773:Dental Plaque / Q000517:prevention & control*; D003774:Dental Plaque Index; D005891:Gingivitis / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006801:Humans; D009910:Oral Hygiene / Q000193:education; D010512:Periodontal Index; D012648:Self Care; D014099:Toothbrushing / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
keywords: dental plaque; gingivitis; manual toothbrush; meta-review; power toothbrush; safety; systematic review; tooth brushing; toothbrush contamination