Brushing duration and use interaction patterns of manual versus sonic toothbrushes in children aged 7–10 years

Objective

To compare the brushing duration and use interaction patterns in children aged 7–10 years using a Sonicare For Kids power toothbrush versus Oral-B Stages 4® manual toothbrush.

Methodology

Sixty healthy subjects, 31 females and 29 males, were enrolled in an IRB-approved randomized, parallel-design two-week study. Informed consent/assent was obtained. At Visit 1, eligible subjects were randomized and provided brushing instructions. They performed an on-site brushing session immediately thereafter. It was timed and video recorded for duration and use interaction data collection. A home-use period of two weeks commenced with the assigned product in order for subjects to familiarize themselves with the device. At Visit 2, the brushing and recording procedure was repeated and subjects were dismissed. Longitudinal and between-group comparisons were assessed for duration and ergonomic use interaction events. Statistical analysis was performed using the Wilcoxon Test.

Results

Thirty-one subjects were randomized to Sonicare For Kids and twenty-nine to a manual toothbrush. A longer median brushing duration was observed for Sonicare For Kids users at both time points. Sonicare For Kids users brushed for 122 seconds compared to 83 seconds for manual toothbrush users at Visit 1 (p=0.012). At Visit 2, Sonicare For Kids users brushed for 120 seconds compared to 73 seconds for manual toothbrush users (p=0.0001).

In a video analysis review by an ergonomic expert, use interaction brush artifacts occurred more frequently with a manual toothbrush than with Sonicare For Kids, 1.56 compared to 0.80.

Use Interaction Brush Artifacts:

• Vertical brushing
• Obvious loose grip
• Shoulder abduction
• Obvious over grip
• Wrist extension/hyperextension
• Finger extension

It was also observed that Sonicare For Kids toothbrush users preferred to grip with their fingertips, while manual toothbrush users preferred a power grip.

• Power Grip Preferred for Manual Toothbrush
• Fingertip Grip Preferred for Sonicare For Kids

For both types of brush, users preferred to grip in the center of the brush handle. Users did not typically switch between grips or hand location during brushing cycles or between brushing cycles.

Conclusion

Children aged 7–10 years brushed significantly longer with Sonicare For Kids than with a manual toothbrush following immediate product introduction and after a period of home use. Use interaction comparison suggests that form factor may influence the frequency of artifact occurrence.

© 2015 Koninklijke Philips N.V. All rights reserved. Specifications are subject to change without notice. Trademarks are the property of Koninklijke Philips N.V. (Royal Philips) or their respective owners.