Comparison of Modified Circular and Natural Tooth Brushing Methods in Effectiveness of Dental Plaque Removal in Children Aged 10-12 Years Old

Dental caries and gingivitis prevalences in schoolchildren in Indonesia is high. Dental diseases can potentially caused missed school, concentration disturbance, impaired speech, poor self-esteem, and systemic illness. Caries and gingivitis can be prevented by maintaining oral hygiene. Toothbrushing is one of oral hygiene method to remove and prevent dental plaque that can cause dental caries and gingivitis. The aim of the study was to compare the level of plaque and gingivitis of children aged 10-12 years old that use the Modified Circular and natural tooth brushing methods.

One hundred and twenty four students from two state elementary school in Yogyakarta, Indonesia participated in this study. The age of the participants were between 10 and 12 years old including males and females students. All of the participants were fifth graders from two elementary schools. To be eligible to participate in this study, each participants met the criteria including: students with age 10 to 12 years old and willing as well as permitted by the parents/guardian to join thorough the study. The exclusion criteria were being diagnosed having developmental disorder, using orthodontic appliances, and using antiseptic mouthwash for daily use.

The study began with the baseline data collection. Then it continued with the training for the participants about improving the oral hygiene. Children will be instructed to brush their teeth two times a day in the morning and before bedtime with the duration of 2 minutes. The project provided one toothpaste and one toothbrush for each children. In this stage, the intervention group was demonstrated and instructed to brush their teeth using Modified Circular method, while the control group was not given any instruction to brush their teeth using a specific tooth brushing method and asked to brush their teeth using the way they brushing every day. The period of intervention was started after training and lasted for one month. In intervention period, intervention group was observed once a week to ensure that they brushed their teeth correctly using Modified Circular method. Finally the evaluation was implemented after 1 month of intervention. The duration of the trial was one month, started in 2 August 2017 and finished on 6 September 2017, and the study was finished in time.

This study did not use any invasive treatment due to oral examination. No drugs or chemical materials were used except nontoxic disclosing agent that was used only 2-3 drops for staining the dental plaque. The colors of disclosing agent will gradually disapear and easily removed by brushing.

The benefit of this study was to help teachers, parents, and students to know the level of oral cleanliness and the effective method of toothbrushing in order to maintain oral hygiene and prevent dental caries and gingivitis.