Effect of an Iranian Toothpaste Compared with a Commonly Used Foreign-Made Toothpasteon Plaque Index of 9- to 12-Year-Old children: a clinical trial

Introduction: Mechanical plaque removal is the most reliable method of oral hygiene practice. However, to maximize its effect, it should be accompanied by the use of chemical agents such as toothpastes, mouth washes and fluoride gels. This study aimed to compare the effect of tooth brushing with an Iranian toothpaste compared to a commonly used foreign-made toothpaste on plaque index (PI) of 9- to 12-year- old children. Materials and Methods: This randomized single-blind crossover clinical trial was conducted on 26 children between 9 to 12 years old. Participants were randomly divided into two groups. The difference between the two study groups was the order of Bas and Crest toothpaste application. Dental prophylaxis were done for all teeth to reduce PI score to zero. The children were then requested to brush their teeth with the first toothpaste and use dental floss before going to bed for one week. At the end of the first week, Turesky’s PI was measured. After a one-week washout period, the PI was reached to zero again and the toothpaste was changed and participants used the second toothpaste for one week. PI was measured again and the values were compared using paired t-test (alpha=0.05). Results: The mean PI in “Bas” toothpaste group (1.486±0.398) was significantly higher than that in “Crest” toothpaste group (1.256±0.229) (P=0.014). Conclusion: The results showed that “Crest” toothpaste was significantly more effective for plaque control than “Bas” toothpaste in our study population.