Plaque reduction and tensile strength evaluations of three dental floss products.

Purpose: To compare GUM ButlerWeave Mint waxed floss, Reach Mint waxed floss and Oral-B Glide Pro-Health Original waxed floss for the tensile strength parameters, load and elongation, and for their ability to reduce artificial plaque. Also examined is the potential relationship between the tensile strength physical attributes and floss efficacy.

Methods: For artificial plaque removal, floss products were placed around interproximal surfaces of artificial plaque-covered posterior-shaped teeth extending to a 60° angle.

Laboratory plaque reduction by three floss products.

Purpose: A new laboratory method was developed to compare GUM Expanding floss, Reach Mint Waxed and Oral-B Glide Pro-Health Deep Clean for their ability to reduce artificial plaque.

Methods: The floss product to be evaluated was affixed to the testing device and placed around interproximal surfaces of plaque-covered posterior-shaped teeth extending to a 60° angle. The testing apparatus was set to move in a vertical direction to the tooth apex at two strokes per second with a 5 mm stroke for 15 seconds.

Laboratory efficacy of an oscillating-rotating toothbrush with a uniquely designed head and extremely tapered bristles.

Purpose: This laboratory study compared a newly designed GUM oscillating-rotating power toothbrush with a unique head design that combines both standard nylon filament and extremely tapered filaments to the Oral-B oscillating-rotating-pulsating power toothbrush with the Precision Clean head and to the Oral-B Compact 35 Indicator manual toothbrush for their ability to reach and remove artificial plaque deposits from hard-to-reach interproximal and subgingival sites.

Methods: Interproximal access efficacy (IAE) was evaluated using an artificial plaque substrate placed around simulated teeth. Subgingival access efficacy (SAE) was determined by using simulated gingiva prepared with a 0.

Laboratory efficacy of three compact toothbrushes to reduce artificial plaque in hard to reach areas.

Purpose: To evaluate the effect of three toothbrushes [GUM Summit+Compact Head, GUM Technique Deep Clean Compact Head, and Oral-B Indicator 35 (compact head)] on plaque reduction in difficult to reach areas: interproximal sites (Interproximal Access Efficacy, IAE), the gingival margin (Gingival Margin Cleaning, GMC) and under the gumline (Subgingival Access Efficacy, SAE).

Methods: Six toothbrushes from each product group were randomly tested four times for a total of 24 tests on each toothbrush design. In the IAE studies, toothbrushing was conducted for 15 seconds using horizontal and vertical brushing motions, simulated anterior and posterior teeth and a brushing pressure of 250 g.