Evaluation of the effectiveness of two disposable oral hygiene devices.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the effectiveness of two disposable devices for the dental hygiene. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Experimental, randomized controlled study on 47 young healthy adults. The subjects were assigned in a Test group, that used the two disposable devices to test (a low density polyethylene tooth-brush and a polyurhetane foam swab), and in a Control group, that used own personal traditional tooth brush. Plaque index, according to Dababneh and gingival index, according to Löe and Silness (GI), have been evaluated at the beginning of the study (T0) and after 48 hours (T1). The data were statistically evaluated. RESULTS: In the Group Test after 48 hours we observed a significant increase of the plaque index in the users of disposable devices, smaller for these ones which used tooth-brush (tooth brush p-value < 0.002 Vs foam swab p-value <0.001), respect the control group. CONCLUSIONS: To utilize the disposable tooth brush is better than the disposable foam swab.