%0 Journal Article
%T It is the habit not the handle that affects tooth brushing - a randomised counterbalanced cross over study with young and healthy adults.
%A Deinzer R
%A Eidenhardt Z
%A Sohrabi K
%A Stenger M
%A Kraft D
%A Sick B
%A Götz-Hahn F
%A Bottenbruch C
%A Berneburg N
%A Weik U
%J BMC Oral Health
%V 24
%N 1
%D 2024 Jul 2
%M 38956565
%F 3.747
%R 10.1186/s12903-024-04538-6
%X <B>OBJECTIVE: </B>To assess the effect of the toothbrush handle on video-observed toothbrushing behaviour and toothbrushing effectiveness.<BR><B>METHODS: </B>This is a randomized counterbalanced cross-over study. N = 50 university students and employees brushed their teeth at two occasions, one week apart, using either a commercial ergonomically designed manual toothbrush (MT) or Brushalyze V1 (BV1), a manual toothbrush with a thick cylindrical handle without any specific ergonomic features. Brushing behaviour was video-analysed. Plaque was assessed at the second occasion immediately after brushing. Participants also rated their self-perceived oral cleanliness and directly compared the two brushes regarding their handling and compared them to the brushed they used at home.<BR><B>RESULTS: </B>The study participants found the BV1 significantly more cumbersome than the M1 or their brush at home. (p < 0.05). However, correlation analyses revealed a strong consistency of brushing behavior with the two brushes (0.71 < r < 0.91). Means differed only slightly (all d < 0.36). These differences became statistically significant only for the brushing time at inner surfaces (d = 0.31 p = 0.03) and horizontal movements at inner surfaces (d = 0.35, p = 0.02). Plaque levels at the gingival margins did not differ while slightly more plaque persisted at the more coronal aspects of the crown after brushing with BV1 (d = 0.592; p 0.042).<BR><B>CONCLUSIONS: </B>The results of the study indicate that the brushing handle does not play a major role in brushing behavior or brushing effectiveness.