The Effectiveness of a Novel Infant Tooth Wipe in High Caries-risk Babies 8-15 Months Old

Meghan Sullivan Walsh August 19, 2010

Literature Review - LMC/ Providence Pediatric Dentistry

The Effectiveness of a Novel Infant Tooth Wipe in High Caries-risk Babies 8-15 Months Old

Resident: Meghan Sullivan Walsh

Program: Lutheran Medical Center - Providence

Article Title: The Effectiveness of a Novel Infant Tooth Wipe in High Caries-risk Babies 8-15 Months Old

Authors: Anna Galgany Almeida, DDS, DScD; Melissa C. Quelroz, DDS; Alvaro Jorge M. Leite, MD

Journal: Pediatric Dentistry

Volume Number, Month, Year, Pages ; Volume 29/Number 4, July/August Issue 2007, Pages 337-341

Major Topic: Infant tooth wipes, Spiffies, efficacy in plaque removal as well as the baby and parent’s satisfaction of this product.

Overview of Method od Research: Dental plaque index scores as well questionnaires were used to collect data.

Findings: 35 high-caries risk babies ages 8-15 months were identified and selected from a hospital in Fortaleza, Brazil. These infants selected went to bed routinely with a bottle containing milk and had at least two anterior teeth. None of the babies had visited a dentist, had their teeth cleaned, nor had their parents receive any oral hygiene instruction. A Pediatric Dentist would perform a lap to lap intra-oral exam and extra-oral exam and place disclosing solution on the children’s teeth. A photo was taken of the children at this time. The parents were then randomly assigned into the control group of tooth brushing or into the ‘Spiffies Baby Tooth Wipes’ group. (Spiffies are fiber towelletes saturated with xylitol and sorbitol.) Little instruction was given to the parents on how to brush their children’s teeth. After performing the parental cleaning another digital photograph was taken. The parents were instructed to brush their children’s teeth once on the night of day one right before bed and cease tooth cleaning afterwards for the next 48-72 hours. They were also instructed to resume their regular night time feeding. The babies and their parents then returned for a second visit and the same procedures were performed however each parent used the alternative method, (Spiffies or toothbrushing.) Dental plaque index scores were utilized in both cases from the intra-oral photos.

Afterwards the parents were handed a questionnaire asking their satisfaction and perceived acceptance of their child to either cleaning method.

Results: In both the tooth brushing and Spiffies group plaque index scores were significantly reduced with no significant difference between the two groups. Overall, however, the parents and their babies were more satisfied with Spiffies for nighttime tooth cleaning rather than tooth brushing. During the day there was no preferences for the parent or child towards tooth brushing or Spiffies.

Key Points: Spiffies or dental wipes are a preferred method of cleaning for infants and their parents for nighttime tooth cleaning. Both Spiffies and tooth brushing provide adequate plaque removal on smooth surface teeth for infants ages 8-15 months.

Assessment of the Article: It should be noted that the author does agree that tooth wipes are not a sufficient means for cleansing teeth with pits and fissures. Thus, once a child shows eruption of a molar it should be insisted that parents move to tooth brushing. Because tooth wipes appear to be an appropriate cleansing method and parents seem content and satisfied with this product, this would be a great addition for a Pediatric Dental practice. Especially for infant/toddler exams and early introduction to the dental office, tooth wipes would be a great beginning for infants and their caregivers into forming a healthy opinion of the dentist as well as reducing a child’s caries risk.