Abstract
Oral health adversely affects quality of life, mastication, and socialization. Periodontal disease is a risk factor for infectious and chronic diseases and is a medical and public health problem. The removal of dental plaque by tooth brushing is effective for its prevention, and sonic toothbrushes have become common. In this study, we investigated subjective changes in plaque deposition and periodontal disease symptoms before and after the short-term use of a sonic toothbrush in 25 Japanese undergraduate nursing students. Subjective changes in periodontal disease symptoms were assessed clinically by completing a self-administered questionnaire, and plaque status was assessed clinically by staining 12 teeth that could be measured by nurses. Overall, the use of the sonic toothbrush significantly reduced plaque accumulation (p = 0.001). The addition of an interdental brush and floss to the sonic toothbrush further reduced plaque buildup. The use of a sonic toothbrush was found to improve dental hygiene compared with the use of a hand toothbrush. In the future, it may become a tool for nurses to provide guidance on tool selection and methods of plaque removal as a method of oral health intervention.
