Effectiveness of Manual and Triple-Headed Toothbrushes in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder.

Background: Children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) frequently experience difficulties in maintaining adequate oral hygiene due to sensory sensitivities, impaired motor coordination, and resistance to conventional toothbrushing techniques¹. Alternative toothbrush designs may help improve plaque control and brushing efficiency in this population.Aim: To assess and compare the effectiveness of manual and triple-headed toothbrushes in children with autism spectrum disorderMaterials and Methods: Forty children diagnosed with ASD were randomly allocated into two groups (n = 20 each). Group A used a triple-headed toothbrush, while Group B used a conventional single-headed manual toothbrush. Oral hygiene status was assessed using the Simplified Oral Hygiene Index (OHI-S) at baseline and after two weeks of supervised toothbrushing. Statistical analysis was performed using appropriate parametric or non-parametric tests.Results: Both groups showed a statistically significant reduction in OHI-S scores after two weeks. The triple-headed toothbrush group demonstrated a greater reduction in mean OHI-S scores compared to the single-headed toothbrush group.Conclusion: Triple-headed toothbrushes may be a more effective alternative for improving oral hygiene in children with ASD, particularly where manual dexterity and brushing compliance are limited.