A Comparative Study on the efficacy of plaque removal of three natural toothbrushes - an in-vitro study

Abstract

Objective: The present study attempts to assess the effectiveness of natural fibres including Luffa acutangula (Ridge gourd), Cocos nucifera (Coconut), and Bambusa vulgaris (Bamboo), when they are modified to suit the requirements of a toothbrush, and analyse if they are able to elicit any cleansing property against biofilm formed on the surface of teeth. 

Methods: The regular nylon toothbrushes were customized to incorporate bristles made of Bamboo fibres, Ridge Gourd fibres and Coconut fibres. These were assessed on the toothbrush simulator, for their plaque removal ability on the surface of biofilm coated teeth samples. They were also tested for their wear rates post brushing. The Turesky modification of Quigley and Hein index was used to assess the plaque indices of the teeth pre- and post-brushing. The wear indices were measured based on a formula given by Rawles et al. The results were then statistically analysed on the SPSS software v26 (IBM.inc., USA).

Result: It can be inferred from the study that in terms of efficacy of plaque removal, the nylon brushes were most efficacious. However, among the natural fibre brushes, Bamboo and Coconut were equally efficacious while Ridge Gourd was the least efficacious. In terms of resistance to wear, Bamboo bristles were even more effective than the commercial nylon brushes. The Coconut and Ridge Gourd fibre brushes were progressively less resistant to wear. 

Conclusion: Natural toothbrushes do show a comparable antibiofilm effect, with differing rates of wear based on the nature of the bristles. However, additional studies would be required in order to implement these results and assess their feasibility in the clinical setting, in-vivo.