Clinical evaluation of the cross-action and between teeth toothbrushes effects on the bacterial plaque and gingival status

The routine mechanical plaque control is done by toothbrush. With regard to different designs of tooth head brushes in order to better plaque removal، the aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of between teeth and cross-action tooth brush on the plaque and gingival status among dental students of dental branch-Islamic Azad University during 2012-13 academic years. This single-blind، cross over، clinical trial was conducted on 30 subjects with mean age (23±0. 9) in two groups of 15 persons. They had at least 20 teeth and had gingivitis with no history of antibiotic use in the last 3 months. Those who were undergoing orthodontic treatment، using drugs affecting the gums and having crown and bridge were excluded from the study. The first group used the cross action toothbrush and the second group used between teeth toothbrush and the subjects were asked to brush their teeth for two minutes twice a day in modified bass method and not to floss during the execution of this study. After 14 days plaque index (Turesky، Approximal plaque index) and gingival bleeding index were recorded on all teeth except third molars. After a week wash out period، second stage of the study was conducted the same as the first stage with the other kind of brush for each group. Data were analyzed using Generalized Linear Model (GLM) test. There was no statistical significant difference between two toothbrushes based on plaque index، gingival bleeding index and approximal plaque index، respectively (P = 0. 29، P = 0. 47، P = 0. 33). In all measured indices، the treatment sequence showed no significant difference (P = 0. 23). There was no statistical difference between cross-action and between teeth toothbrush in reducing plaque and gingival bleeding.