National Board Dental Hygiene Examination (NBDHE) Dental Hygienist Practice Test

The patient shows some moderate marginal inflammation and plaque accumulation. What type of toothbrush should be recommended?

1. Medium bristled

2. Hard bristled electric

3. Soft bristled manual

4. Any of the above

The correct answer is: Soft bristled manual

A soft-bristled manual toothbrush is the most appropriate recommendation for a patient with moderate marginal inflammation and plaque accumulation. Soft bristles are gentle on the gums and teeth, which is especially important in cases of inflammation, as harder bristles can exacerbate sensitivity or lead to further irritation of the gum tissues. Using a toothbrush with soft bristles allows for effective plaque removal without causing additional damage to already inflamed or sensitive gums. Research supports that soft-bristled toothbrushes are highly effective in maintaining oral health and are less likely to contribute to gum recession or abrasion of the tooth enamel. While medium or hard-bristled brushes may seem effective for plaque removal, they pose a higher risk for damaging the gums and enamel, particularly in individuals with existing inflammation. An electric toothbrush could be beneficial for some patients, but if it has hard bristles, it could lead to similar risks associated with manual hard-bristled brushes. Therefore, the recommendation of a soft-bristled manual toothbrush aligns with best practices for managing inflammation while promoting effective oral hygiene.