effectiveness of chewing stick miswak on plaque removal

ABSTRACT

The aim of the study was to investigate the effect of chewing stick miswak in comparison with toothbrush on plaque removal during experimental conditions and real life use conditions. Experimental Part A sample of 15 healthy male volunteers aged 20 to 50 years [mean and SD 35.2 +/- 8.6] participated in a single blind randomized split mouth design study. Subjects were instructed to refrain from using any oral hygiene for one week to allow denovo plaque formation. A week later, photographs of plaque distribution of the buccal tooth areas of maxillary anterior and posterior regions were taken, before cleaning and after 30, 60, 120 seconds of cleaning with either miswak or toothbrush. Clinical Part A total of 56 subjects [18 females and 38 males] age ranging from 20 to 60 years were included. Seventeen subjects were miswak users and 29 subjects were toothbrush users. Ten subjects who used both methods were excluded. Photographs of plaque distribution of the labial surfaces of anterior teeth were taken. The experimental part showed that all three cleaning periods, with miswak as well as with toothbrush, reduced the remaining plaque covered area at the anterior and posterior regions [P < 0.001]. However, no significant difference was observed between the two methods in any period. The clinical part showed no significant difference in mean plaque level between miswak users and toothbrush users. It was concluded that miswak was as effective as a toothbrush for reducing plaque on buccal teeth surfaces both experimentally and clinically