Preventing toothbrush abrasion and the efficacy of the Alert toothbrush: a review and patient study.

The literature recognizes two etiologies for periodontal attachment loss. On a statistical basis, bacterial periodontal disease causes attachment loss interproximally, while trauma, or self-inflicted periodontal disease, causes attachment loss on the buccal and lingual tooth surfaces. One study shows that the prevalence of attachment loss caused by abrasion is only slightly less than the attachment loss caused by bacterial periodontal disease. While the clinical community focuses on the prevention and treatment of bacterial disease, a large percentage of periodontal attachment loss (caused by abrasion) is not diagnosed and remains untreated. Preventive measures have been unsuccessful. The predominant etiology for buccal and lingual attachment loss is excessive brushing pressure. The Alert Toothbrush is the first brush that allows users to monitor and standardize their brushing pressure to reduce the friction, wear, and trauma to their teeth and gums. This is the report of the initial study of patient reaction to and evaluation of this new manual toothbrush.