Miswak vs. Toothbrush in Plaque Removal for Children

This study aims to compare the effectiveness of a 45°-cut Miswak stick and a regular toothbrush in removing plaque from children's teeth. Miswak, a natural tooth-cleaning twig, offers both mechanical and chemical cleaning benefits. Its fibrous structure helps scrub away debris, while natural compounds like fluoride and silica contribute to its cavity-fighting properties. This research focuses on children aged 6 to 14, with the goal of finding an affordable and effective oral hygiene solution, particularly for children in underserved or resource-limited communities. In this split-mouth clinical trial, each child uses a Miswak stick on one side of their mouth and a toothbrush on the other side. This approach allows for a direct comparison within each child's mouth, reducing variability and enhancing the reliability of the results. The study measures the plaque index score using the Simplified Oral Hygiene Index (OHI-S) to assess which method is more effective in reducing plaque. Half of the children use the toothbrush on the left side and the Miswak on the right, while the other half follows the reverse assignment.