Results From Objective Brushing Data Saved From a Powered Toothbrush Related to Values for Oral Health

Results of Objective Brushing Data Recorded From a Powered Toothbrush Used by Elderly Individuals With Mild Cognitive Impairment Related to Values for Oral Health

For this study, 213 individuals were recruited. During the Baseline examination, each participant received a powered toothbrush and was carefully instructed on how to use the toothbrush and recommended using it for at least 2 minutes every morning and evening. No restrictions were imposed on the use of other oral health products. The study lasted from June 2018 to October 2020 and included a screening, a baseline examination, and additional reexaminations at 6 and 12 months. The Oral-B application was installed on the participant's mobile phones or computer tablets. Participants were instructed verbally and in writing on transferring data from the powered toothbrush to the application. The present study aimed to investigate how the true use of the powered toothbrush, in terms of frequency and duration, affects plaque index (PI), bleeding on probing (BOP), and periodontal pocket depth (PPD) ≥4 mm in a group of elderly individuals with MCI. A second aim was to compare the registered time and brush frequencies to the individual's self-estimated usage of the powered toothbrushes.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Being 55 years or older
• Having experienced memory problems in the last six months before inclusion
• Having a Mini-Mental State Examination score of 20-28
• Are not receiving any formal care
• Having at least ten teeth of their own

Exclusion Criteria:

• Having a terminal illness with less than three years of expected survival
• Having another known significant cause of disease explaining cognitive impairment