A comparison of proximal plaque removal using floss and interdental brushes

Abstract

The removal of interproximal plaque was compared using a standard toothbrush alone, a toothbrush with unwaxed dental floss and a toothbrush with an interdental brush. 30 previously treated periodontal patients were given the cleaning aids in a three-way crossover study design. After each 1 month trial period, scores for gingivitis, buccal/lingual plaque and proximal plaque were recorded. Mean GI scores for subjects were 0.37 using the toothbrush only, 0.36 using the toothbrush with floss and 0.32 using the toothbrush with the interdental brush. Mean buccal/lingual plaque scores were 0.64 using the toothbrush only, 0.62 using the toothbrush with floss and 0.51 using the toothbrush with the interdental brush. Mean plaque scores were 2.32 with the toothbrush only, 1.71 using the toothbrush with floss and 1.22 using the toothbrush with the interdental brush. Statistically significant differences were seen in proximal plaque scores between the 3 treatment groups. The results indicate that the interdental brush used in combination with a toothbrush is more effective in the removal of plaque from proximal tooth surfaces than a toothbrush used alone or in combination with dental floss.

Oral Hygiene Behavior during Fixed Orthodontic Treatment

“…It is unable to reach the gums underneath the wires; therefore, compliance with dental floss is low for orthodontic patients. In recent studies comparing floss and interdental brush, improved interproximal plaque reduction was shown in the interdental brush group [24][25][26]. It was also reported that the use of interdental brushes was more effective in the removal of plaque and resulted in a larger reduction of probing depth than the use of dental floss [27].…”

Evaluation of the cleaning eff icacy of three different interdental cleaning devices: an in vitro study

“…6,9,11,12 Tüm avantajlarının yanı sıra, dikkatli kullanılmadığında metal gövdenin diş ve kök yüzeyinde travma oluşturması nedeniyle dentin hassasiyetini tetikleme ve interdental papilin zedelenmesi gibi dezavantajları da mevcuttur. 3,13 Bu sebeple üreticiler, kullanım kolaylığı sağlamak amacıyla metal içermeyen esnek gövdeli plastik ara yüz temizleyici araçları piyasaya sunmuşlardır.…”

As an Adjunct to Tooth Brushing, Interdental Brushes (IDBs) are More Effective in Removing Plaque as Compared With Brushing Alone or the Combination Use of Tooth Brushing and Dental Floss

“…One additional study was gleaned from the reference list, for a total of 9 studies included in this systematic review. [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9] Both randomized controlled clinical trails and controlled clinical trials were selected for review; however, considerable heterogeneity was observed in the 9 studies related to study design, number, gender and age of participants, and outcome variables.…”