Status Quo in Mechanical Plaque Control Then and Now: A Review

There are various kinds of dental diseases, of which dental caries and disease of periodontal origin are the most common. A very strong connection has been proven between oral inflammation and general health of an individual. Dental Biofilm is the main cause for gingivitis and periodontitis. Dental plaque may also be referred to as microbial plaque that consists of highly organized structures of different microbiotas attached to the hard tooth structure, which may be bound by salivary glycoproteins. Plaque control is a term that refers to removal of already formed or the control of formation of this microbial biofilm. There have been various methods practiced for plaque control; they are broadly classified into mechanical methods and chemical plaque control methods. Mechanical plaque control further includes many other methods such as manual toothbrushes and smart toothbrushes, which includes power-driven toothbrushes, sonic and ultrasonic toothbrushes, solar-powered toothbrushes (ionic toothbrushes), disposable toothbrushes, and laser toothbrushes; this also includes interdental cleaning aids. Continuous advancements with the integration of technology have been made in the field of mechanical plaque control to improve its quality.