Comparisons of Abrasion Produced by a Simulated Manual Versus a Mechanical Toothbrush

¹ College of Dentistry, Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio

In general, any scouring or scrubbing process is surely abrasive of the surface being cleansed, but there probably is no simple relation between the efficiency of the cleansing and the kind and extent of the abrasion. The process of brushing teeth appears to be far more complex than might be supposed, and one of the important variables seems to be the amount of pressure applied to the brush.

A mechanical device of the type tested (electrically powered to produce an arcuate reciprocating motion) was found to produce less abrasion of tooth substance and of the common restorative materials than did simulated manual brushing. The pressure applied was not as great, however, as that applied in the simulated manual brushing.

Although it is not possible to state what might happen through the improper use of a mechanically powered (automatic) toothbrush, certain built-in safety features are present on the device tested: the bristles are not short or of large diameter, and inappropriate pressure will cause the mechanism to stall. There appears to be less danger of damaging tooth structure by abrasion with this mechanical toothbrush than with ordinary manual methods.