It is the habit not the handle that affects tooth brushing - a randomised counterbalanced cross over study with young and healthy adults

To assess the effect of the toothbrush handle on video-observed toothbrushing behaviour and toothbrushing effectiveness. This is a randomized counterbalanced cross-over study. N = 50 university students and employees brushed their teeth at two occasions, one week apart, using either a commercial ergonomically designed manual toothbrush (MT) or Brushalyze V1 (BV1), a manual toothbrush with a thick cylindrical handle without any specific ergonomic features. Brushing behaviour was video-analysed. Plaque was assessed at the second occasion immediately after brushing. Participants also rated their self-perceived oral cleanliness and directly compared the two brushes regarding their handling and compared them to the brushed they used at home. The study participants found the BV1 significantly more cumbersome than the M1 or their brush at home. (p