The plaque-removing effect of four toothbrushing methods

abstract – Two experimental studies were carried out to compare the plaque-removing ability of three well-known tooth-brushing methods (the roll, the horizontal scrub, and Charters') and brushing with a singletufted brush, the interbrush method. After withdrawal of all oral hygiene measures for three days, the teeth were brushed by a dental hygienist employing one of the methods in each quadrant of the mouth. The brushing was performed with brushes recommended for the different methods. Immediately after the brushing, the remaining plaque was assessed according to the Plaque Index. The brushing methods tested showed negligible effect on interdental plaque accumulations. This was valid both in dental students with healthy periodontal conditions and in periodontally treated persons. Vestibularly and lingually more plaque was left after brushing with the roll method than after brushing with any of the other methods. The differences between the horizontal scrub, the Charters', and the interbrush methods were small. Time studies revealed that the horizontal scrub was the least time-consuming method. The roll method required a little more time, but less than Charters'method, whereas the interbrush method was more time-consuming than any of the other methods tested.