Comparative Effectiveness of a 360‐Degree Round‐Head Toothbrush and a Conventional Manual Toothbrush Among Children: A Randomized Controlled Trial

ABSTRACT Objectives This study aimed to evaluate the comparative efficacy of a novel 360‐degree round‐head toothbrush and a conventional manual toothbrush in plaque removal among children. Methods Seventy‐six children meeting the eligibility criteria participated in this single‐center, examiner‐blinded, randomized controlled study. Participants were randomized to receive either a 360‐degree round‐head toothbrush or a conventional manual toothbrush. Children aged 2–5 years had their teeth brushed by their parents, while children aged 6–12 years brushed their own teeth under supervision. Assessments were performed at baseline, after a single brushing, and at 4 weeks using the Silness‐Löe Plaque Index (PI), the Simplified Oral Hygiene Index (OHI‐S) and the Gingival Index (GI). Differences in scores within each toothbrush group and between the groups were analysed using the paired t ‐test and the Mann–Whitney U test. Results A total of 76 children ( n = 40 assigned to the 360‐degree round‐head toothbrush; n = 36 assigned to the conventional manual toothbrush) completed the single brushing phase. Both toothbrush groups showed significant reductions in PI and OHI‐S scores after a single brushing ( p < 0.05). The 360‐degree round‐head toothbrush removed more plaque, notably in children aged 2–5 years. After 4 weeks, 48 children completed the study. Both toothbrush groups showed significant reductions in PI, OHI‐S and GI scores ( p < 0.05), with the 360‐degree round‐head toothbrush consistently achieving greater plaque reduction than the conventional manual toothbrush throughout the study period. Conclusion The 360‐degree round‐head toothbrush was more effective than a conventional manual toothbrush in reducing plaque levels, particularly in children with primary dentition and over a 4‐week period. Trial Registration ClinicalTrials.gov , ID: NCT06164496