Effectiveness of an Oral Health Education Program Using a Smart Toothbrush with Quantitative Light-Induced Fluorescence Technology in Children

Abstract

This randomized controlled trial aimed to educate patients and manage oral hygiene remotely via a smart toothbrush (ST) by using mobile applications and to improve oral hygiene and habits by evaluating the plaque state via images from a Q-ray cam, which is a quantitative light-induced fluorescence (QLF) digital imaging device. In total, 68 children (aged 6–12 years) were randomly divided into three groups. Group I was assigned an electro-toothbrush (ET), group II was assigned a smart toothbrush (ST), and group III used a manual toothbrush (MT). Each group used an assigned toothbrush and was checked after 1 and 3 months. Oral hygiene status was evaluated using the patient hygiene performance (PHP) index and fluorescent plaque index (FPI), which are presented in the QLF program. In addition, questionnaires on oral health behaviors and attitudes were also evaluated. There was a 0.24 decrease in the PHP index and a 1.40 decrease in the simple hygiene score three months later compared with the baseline in the ST group, with no significant difference between the three methods (p = 0.518, p = 0.626). Many group II participants said that ST helped with oral hygiene, and they were willing to use it continuously. In addition, all participants’ brushing times and attitudes toward oral hygiene improved after oral hygiene education using a Q-ray cam. Therefore, the use of STs provided good dental health education and a plaque-decreasing effect to children aged 6–12 years old. Furthermore, the QLF device can be used as a useful tool for maintaining good oral hygiene in children.

A Dive into Delivery of Oral Hygiene Advice Based on the Personalized Oral Hygiene Advice Model

“…By evaluating this area, oral health professionals can interact with patients accordingly and guide them on how to use technology to empower themselves by taking an active role in their oral health care [27]. The use of smartphones, apps, online platforms, and digital tools such as smart toothbrushes [28] or virtual reality [29] can provide personalized oral hygiene plans through telehealth, remote monitoring, reminders, and access to educational resources that can be used by the patients to reach at their convenience [30].…”

3D Monitoring of Toothbrushing Regions and Force Using Multimodal Sensors and Unity

“…In recent years of research, there are some other techniques for monitoring brushing health or brushing activity. For example, paper [11] used a smart toothbrush with quantitative light-induced fluorescence technology to monitor effectiveness of oral health. Paper [12] proposed a method to estimate the recovery index for fatigue based on halitosis collecting by a smart toothbrush with a halitosis sensor while people are brushing their teeth.…”