Individually modified toothbrushes and improvement of oral hygiene and gingival health in cerebral palsy children.

Abstract

Twenty-eight cerebral palsy patients were evaluated for effectiveness of toothbrushing using conventional vs individually modified toothbrushes (IMT). The patients were first monitored in the dental clinic, using the conventional or the IMT on alternate visits for a total of four visits. Plaque scores recorded at all four visits showed significant (P less than 0.001) reduction of plaque measured in percentage of surfaces cleaned when the IMT was used. In the second part of the study, the patients were given the IMT to use at home. The plaque index scored 7, 21 and 35 days later, decreased significantly (P less than 0.001) with time. The same was true for the gingival index. Furthermore, during each of the last three visits, patients were also evaluated for the ability to perform oral hygiene with the IMT in the dental office. This ability was significantly improved (P less than 0.05) at all visits. The Individually Modified Toothbrush appears to be an effective mean to improve the oral hygiene and gingival health of cerebral palsy patients.