Comparing plaque removal efficacy of biodegradable toothbrush and nonbiodegradable toothbrush in children of 8-10 years of age: A randomized clinical study.

INTRODUCTION: In the 21st century, we are surrounded by plastic, disposal of which has a detrimental effect on the environment. Around 700 million plastic toothbrushes are sold which contributes to a large portion of plastic waste. To aid in the restoration of the environment, there is a need to replace plastic toothbrushes with recyclable toothbrushes. The purpose of the study was to evaluate and compare the plaque removal efficacy of biodegradable toothbrushes and nonbiodegradable toothbrushes in children 8-10 years of age. METHODOLOGY: Ninety children 8-10 years old from school were included in the study. Toothbrush types to groups A (nonbiodegradable toothbrush, Colgate® Palmolive India Ltd.), B (Biodegradable toothbrush, Bamboo India), and C (Biodegradable toothbrush, Palette™ India) were randomly allocated and plaque score was evaluated using plaque disclosing agent and Turesky Modification of Quigley Hein Index at day 1, 7, and 14. The data were analyzed using unpaired "t" and analysis of variance to find the significance of study parameters between the groups and paired t-test was used to find the significance of study parameters within the group (pre- and postbrushing). RESULTS: The comparison of plaque scores pre- and postbrushing in all groups manifested reduction from day 1 to 14. However, Group B showed a significant reduction of plaque on day 14 with a difference of 0.50 which is statistically significant with a P < 0.001. CONCLUSION: According to the results, it can be concluded that a biodegradable toothbrush has adequate plaque removal efficacy. Therefore, the use of biodegradable toothbrushes can be recommended which will reduce nonbiodegradable waste.

Effect of enamel surface coating on staining capability due to iron containing supplements on primary teeth: An in vitro study.

Background: Iron supplements prescribed to anemic children may results in teeth staining. Possible methods for preventing staining of primary teeth following exposure to iron supplements are need of an hour. Aim: This study was conducted with the aim to assess effect of enamel surface coating on staining capability of iron containing supplements in primary teeth. Settings and Design: This is an in vitro Experimental study. Methods: Hundred and forty-four primary incisors with intact crowns were sequentially numbered and randomly divided into four main groups of 36 samples receiving different enamel surface coating such as no surface coating, MI fluoride varnish™, GC G-coat Plus™ and GC-Equia®-forte-coat. Each group was subdivided into two groups, namely A (sound teeth) and B (artificially demineralized teeth). All the samples were immersed in 250 ml artificial saliva containing 10 ml of iron supplement to make the iron concentration 100 mg. The shade of the teeth was measured at baseline and at 90 days, using VITA Easy shade® V digital spectrophotometer. The data was statistically analyzed using the Kruskal-Wallis test and Mann-Whitney U test. Descriptive and inferential statistical analyses was made via SPSS 23. Results: Overall color change was found to be significantly less at the end of 90th day in sound samples when GC-Equia®-forte-coat was used as an enamel surface coating with pvalue of 0.017. In demineralized samples the overall color change was least at the end of 90th day when MI Varnish™ used as an enamel surface coating with P = 0.042. Conclusions: GC-Equia®-forte-coat, MI Varnish™ and GC-G-coat-plus™ can be used as a preventive or a precautionary measure to minimizes the staining of teeth. The amount of color change at the end of 90 days with GC-Equia®-forte-coat was least followed by MI varnish™, GC G coat Plus™ and control group.