Assessing the Efficacy of Sonic Toothbrush in Reducing the Plaque Pathogens in Comparison with Manual Brushing

Abstract

Introduction: The bacteria present in dental plaque are the main cause of caries, gum disease, and periodontal disease. Regular brushing will remove plaque build up and maintain the oral health. An ultrasonic toothbrush is an electric toothbrush which is designed for daily home use which operates by generating ultrasound waves to help in removing plaque and rendering plaque bacteria harmless.
 Aim: The aim of the present study is to assess the effect of sonic toothbrush in reducing the plaque pathogens in comparison with the normal brushing.
 Materials and Methods: Volunteers who use sonic toothbrushes were selected as a study population. The swab samples were collected before and after brushing. The collected swabs were inoculated on BHI agar and the total CFU count was checked.
 Results and Discussion: The percentage reduction in case of ultrasonic toothbrush was more (86.82%) when compared to the manual brushing making it efficient in reducing plaque pathogens.
 Conclusion: The present study concludes that the ultrasonic or the sonic toothbrush is efficient on plaque pathogens on the tooth surface.