Fluorescence-based Evaluation of the Efficacy of Augmented Reality-assisted Toothbrush on Oral Hygiene Practices Among 6–8 Years Old Children

Abstract

Effective toothbrushing is the most simple way to maintain a child’s oral hygiene for a cavity-free mouth. Yet, most children find it an uninteresting task and they fail to understand its scientific basis. Augmented reality (A-R)-assisted toothbrushes for pediatric population are commercially available to make toothbrushing interactive, interesting, and educative for the child, aided by gamification providing an interactive videogame platform between the real and the virtual world. The aim of the study was to evaluate the efficacy of A-R-assisted brushing experience of children with respect to fluorescence imaging data and plaque Streptococcus mutans count at clinical and microbiological levels, respectively. A total of 32 children in the age group of 6-8 years were included and allocated in two study groups (A-R-assisted toothbrushing and manual toothbrushing). Fluorescence-based lesion area scoring was done using FC, Duerr Dental, Vistaproof, Germany. Microbiological analysis of plaque Streptococcus mutans was done to evaluate change in bacterial count. The parameters were recorded again after two weeks. Pre- and post-intervention scores were subjected to statistical analysis. Significantly higher reduction of fluorescent scores and mean bacterial count were found in A-R-assisted tooth-brushing group when compared to that of manual toothbrushing. Based on the findings of the study, A-R-assisted toothbrushing proves to be an effective tool for motivating and maintaining oral hygiene among children and efforts should be made in incorporating this practice in daily domestic healthcare.