Plaque removal by a novel prototype power toothbrush versus a manual toothbrush: A randomized, exploratory clinical study.

OBJECTIVES: This exploratory study investigated plaque removal with a prototype constant, low rotation speed Power Toothbrush (PTB) with two brushing actions: "Gumline" (head rotates in the horizontal axis) and "Interdental" (head rotates in the vertical axis). Gumline alone and "Combined" (Gumline + Interdental) modes were compared with a Reference PTB and a Reference Manual Toothbrush (MTB) after one brushing. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty-nine participants were randomized to use each toothbrush once either in the sequence (A) Prototype PTB (in Gumline then Combined mode), (B) reference MTB, and (C) reference PTB or the sequence BAC. There was a minimum 3-day washout between the use of each toothbrush. Plaque removal was measured using the Rustogi Modified Navy Dental Plaque Index (RMNPI) with change from baseline investigated using an analysis of covariance model. RMNPI scores were calculated on a "whole mouth" basis and along the gingival margin and at proximal sites only. RESULTS: For the primary efficacy variable, a significant difference was found in favor of the prototype PTB in gumline mode versus the reference MTB for whole mouth plaque score (difference: -0.06; standard error: 0.014; 95% confidence interval [CI] -0.09 to -0.04; p < .0001). Similar significant differences were found in gingival margin and proximal areas (p < .0001). The prototype PTB in gumline mode removed significantly less plaque than the prototype PTB in combined mode and the reference PTB (p < .0001; whole mouth/gingival/proximal areas). The prototype PTB in combined mode removed significantly more plaque than the reference MTB (p < .0001; whole mouth/gingival/proximal areas) and the reference PTB for whole mouth (p = .0214) and gingival margin areas (p = .0010). The reference PTB also removed significantly more plaque than the reference MTB (p < .0001; whole mouth/gingival/proximal areas). All brushes were generally well-tolerated. CONCLUSION: The prototype PTB design, providing two distinct cleaning modalities, can effectively remove plaque to a significantly higher degree than an MTB and a marketed PTB, depending on mode.

Early benefits with daily rinsing on gingival health improvements with an essential oil mouthrinse--post-hoc analysis of 5 clinical trials.

PURPOSE: The aim of this investigation through post-hoc analyses was to determine the ability to achieve gingival health in the short term with daily rinsing with an essential oil containing antimicrobial mouthrinse. METHODS: Conventional Analysis of Covariance (ANCOVA) on whole mouth mean plaque and gingivitis scores were originally conducted to demonstrate efficacy of adjunctive use of Cool Mint® LISTERINE® Antiseptic (EO) compared to negative control [brushing (B) or brushing/flossing (BF)] in each of 5 studies containing a 4 week evaluation. The Modified Gingival Index (MGI) was split into 2 categories: healthy (scores 0, 1) and unhealthy (≥2). Data, reflecting subjects that completed 4 weeks of treatment from 5 studies, were evaluated to determine the mean percent of healthy sites and mean percent of more inflamed "affected" areas (MGI≥3). RESULTS: At baseline, the mean percent healthy gingival sites ranged from 0.1 to 3.2%. At 4 weeks, up to 29.3% and 16.1% of sites were healthy for the EO group and negative control group, respectively. Three and 6 month data from 2 of the 5 studies resulted in up to 39.6% and 62% at 3 and 6 month mean percent healthy sites per subject for EO and up to 17.2% and 15.6% at 3 and 6 months, respectively, for negative control. Virtually plaque free sites (PI=0, 1) at 4 weeks ranged up to 34.3% and 8.1% for EO and control groups, respectively. CONCLUSION: Significantly more healthy gingival sites and virtually plaque free tooth surfaces can be achieved as early as 4 weeks with use of an essential oil antimicrobial mouthrinse. This finding continues through 6 months twice daily use as part of oral care practices compared to mechanical oral hygiene alone.