Abstract
AIMS:
The
aim of this systematic review was to establish the efficacy of brushing
with and without a dentifrice for dental plaque removal.
MATERIALS AND METHODS:
MEDLINE-PubMed,
Cochrane-CENTRAL, EMBASE and other electronic databases were searched.
The inclusion criteria were randomized controlled trials and controlled
clinical trials and subjects ≥18years of age with good general health.
Papers that evaluated the effect of toothbrushing with a dentifrice
compared to brushing without a dentifrice were included. Data were
extracted from the eligible studies, and a meta-analysis was performed
where feasible.
RESULT:
The
search was conducted until June 2016 and retrieved 10 eligible
publications that included 20 comparisons. On average, 49,2% of plaque
was removed when brushing was performed with a dentifrice, and 50.3% of
plaque was removed when toothbrushing was performed without a
dentifrice. The descriptive analysis indicated that the majority of the
comparisons did not show an additional effect of dentifrice use.
Regarding the meta-analysis of post-brushing scores, no significant
difference was observed between toothbrushing with and without a
dentifrice (DiffM 0.00, 95%CI [-0.05: 0.05],p=0.91). The meta-analysis
of incremental data(as means or percentages) supported and strengthened
these findings.
CONCLUSION:
The
cumulative evidence for this systematic review demonstrates, that there
is moderate certainty that toothbrushing with a dentifrice does not
provide an added effect for the mechanical removal of dental plaque.
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