Many adolescents have poor plaque control and sub-optimal toothbrushing behavior. Therefore, we compared the efficacy of an interactive power toothbrush (IPT) to a manual toothbrush (MT) for reducing dental plaque and improving toothbrushing compliance. In this randomized, parallel single-blind clinical study, adolescents brushed twice daily with either a MT (Oral-B® Indicator soft manual toothbrush) or an IPT (Oral-B® ProfessionalCare 6000 with Bluetooth). Subjects brushed for 2 min, plus an additional 10 s for each ‘Focus Care Area’. At screening and Week 2, afternoon pre-brushing plaque was assessed via the Turesky Modification of the Quigley-Hein Plaque Index (TMQHPI), and supervised brushing duration was measured. Sixty subjects were randomized; 98% completed. At Week 2, the mean reduction in whole mouth plaque relative to baseline was 34% (p < 0.001) for the IPT versus 1.7% (p = 0.231) for the MT. For Focus Care Areas, the IPT yielded a 38.1% mean TMQHPI reduction (p < 0.001) versus 6.2% for the MT (p < 0.001). Mean brushing time versus baseline increased 34 s in the IPT group (p < 0.001) while remaining flat in the MT group (p = 1.0). Over 2 weeks, adolescents using an IPT experienced superior plaque reduction and increased overall brushing time versus those using a MT. This trial was retrospectively registered ( ISRCTN10112852 ) on the 18th, June 2018.

Dental plaque, a bacterial biofilm constantly forming on surfaces within the mouth, is responsible for dental caries and periodontal diseases.¹ When soft dental plaque is not removed, the dental plaque may develop into calculus (hardened plaque) under or above the gumline. The presence of plaque and calculus can irritate the gingiva (or simply, the gums), leading to the gingival inflammation called gingivitis.^2,3 The common symptoms of gingivitis include swollen, bleeding, and receding gingiva. Gingivitis is one of the most common oral diseases worldwide, and around 56% of adults in the United States have mild to severe gingivitis.⁴ If gingivitis is left untreated, gingivitis can advance to periodontitis, tooth loss, and other severe oral diseases.