Chapter 28 Infection Prevention and
Control 2024 update study guide
About 1600 B.C. in Chinese literature - When was the earliest toothbrush recorded?
The Mohammedans - Who used the Miswak or Siwak?
Celluloid was available for the manufacturing of toothbrush handles - What was
significant about the early 1900's for the development of toothbrushes?
1938 - When did nylon come into use in toothbrush construction?
Synthetic materials - What are most toothbrushes made exclusively from?
to provide massage to increase the resistance of the gingival tissue. - Historically, what
was the purpose of brushing?
A. Conforms to individual patient requirements in size, shape, and texture.
B. Is easily and efficiently manipulated.
C. Is readily cleaned and aerated; impervious to moisture.
D. Is durable and inexpensive.
E. Has prime functional properties of flexibility, softness, and diameter of the bristles or
filaments, and of strength, rigidity, and lightness of the handle.
F. Has end-rounded filaments.
G. Is designed for utility, efficiency, and cleanliness. - What are characteristics of an
effective toothbrush?
Handle
Shank
Heel - What are the parts of a toothbrush?
Plastic, or a combination of polymers - What is the handle often composed of?
Durability, imperviousness to moisture, pleasing appearance, low cost, and sufficient
maneuverability - What are necessary properties of a handle?
, Easy to grasp
Does not slip or rotate during use
No sharp corners or projections
Light weight, consistent with strength - What are the preferred characteristics for the
shape of the handle?
A twist, curve, offset, or angle in the shank with or without thumb rests - What variation
can help a patient to clean difficult to reach areas?
A handle of larger diameter - What can be helpful for patients with limited dexterity,
such as children, again patients, and those of any age with a disability?
Nylon because natural bristles are relatively unsanitary - What type of filaments do
most toothbrushes have, and why are these preferred over natural bristles?
Bristles - Synthetic Filaments are also referred to as
Rounded - What should the ends of the bristles appear as?
It reduces gingival damage; unrounded filaments present a higher risk of damage to
gingival tissue - What is the significant benefit of using a brush that has rounded
filaments?
Their ability to improve cleaning performance and to reach critical sites easier (such as
interproximally and at the gingival margin) - What makes multilevel brush heads most
beneficial?
More effective to clean the cervical areas, both proximal and marginal
Less traumatic to the gingival tissue; allowing patient to comfortably brush without fear
of discomfort or soft tissue laceration
Can easily be directed into the sulcus for sulcular brushing as well as interproximal
areas for cleaning the proximal surfaces
Maneuvers easily around appliances
Reduces abrasion, or minimized damage from overvigorous brushing
More effective for sensitive gingiva; such as ANUG, post surgical or scaling and
debridement
Ideal for use on primary teeth of young children - What are the advantages of using a
soft nylon brush?
It bends the filaments and curves away from the area where brushing is needed and
therefore does not clean the tooth surfaces - What problem is presented by applying
too much pressure when brushing?
Removal of the dental biofilm - What is the main consideration in the amount of
brushing?
Control 2024 update study guide
About 1600 B.C. in Chinese literature - When was the earliest toothbrush recorded?
The Mohammedans - Who used the Miswak or Siwak?
Celluloid was available for the manufacturing of toothbrush handles - What was
significant about the early 1900's for the development of toothbrushes?
1938 - When did nylon come into use in toothbrush construction?
Synthetic materials - What are most toothbrushes made exclusively from?
to provide massage to increase the resistance of the gingival tissue. - Historically, what
was the purpose of brushing?
A. Conforms to individual patient requirements in size, shape, and texture.
B. Is easily and efficiently manipulated.
C. Is readily cleaned and aerated; impervious to moisture.
D. Is durable and inexpensive.
E. Has prime functional properties of flexibility, softness, and diameter of the bristles or
filaments, and of strength, rigidity, and lightness of the handle.
F. Has end-rounded filaments.
G. Is designed for utility, efficiency, and cleanliness. - What are characteristics of an
effective toothbrush?
Handle
Shank
Heel - What are the parts of a toothbrush?
Plastic, or a combination of polymers - What is the handle often composed of?
Durability, imperviousness to moisture, pleasing appearance, low cost, and sufficient
maneuverability - What are necessary properties of a handle?
, Easy to grasp
Does not slip or rotate during use
No sharp corners or projections
Light weight, consistent with strength - What are the preferred characteristics for the
shape of the handle?
A twist, curve, offset, or angle in the shank with or without thumb rests - What variation
can help a patient to clean difficult to reach areas?
A handle of larger diameter - What can be helpful for patients with limited dexterity,
such as children, again patients, and those of any age with a disability?
Nylon because natural bristles are relatively unsanitary - What type of filaments do
most toothbrushes have, and why are these preferred over natural bristles?
Bristles - Synthetic Filaments are also referred to as
Rounded - What should the ends of the bristles appear as?
It reduces gingival damage; unrounded filaments present a higher risk of damage to
gingival tissue - What is the significant benefit of using a brush that has rounded
filaments?
Their ability to improve cleaning performance and to reach critical sites easier (such as
interproximally and at the gingival margin) - What makes multilevel brush heads most
beneficial?
More effective to clean the cervical areas, both proximal and marginal
Less traumatic to the gingival tissue; allowing patient to comfortably brush without fear
of discomfort or soft tissue laceration
Can easily be directed into the sulcus for sulcular brushing as well as interproximal
areas for cleaning the proximal surfaces
Maneuvers easily around appliances
Reduces abrasion, or minimized damage from overvigorous brushing
More effective for sensitive gingiva; such as ANUG, post surgical or scaling and
debridement
Ideal for use on primary teeth of young children - What are the advantages of using a
soft nylon brush?
It bends the filaments and curves away from the area where brushing is needed and
therefore does not clean the tooth surfaces - What problem is presented by applying
too much pressure when brushing?
Removal of the dental biofilm - What is the main consideration in the amount of
brushing?
