What is the right way to brush your teeth?
Brushing should last one minute. Or two? Three times a day is the best. Or maybe it's enough to do it twice? Suddenly, the grandfather's dentist recommended holding the brush at a 45-degree angle a long time ago, and that custom has remained in the family ever since.
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Are you sure that your method to maintain oral hygiene and avoid tooth decay is the most appropriate? If they are not, they are not the only ones.
A study recently conducted by University College London, in the British capital, reveals that there is no consistency with regard to the recommendations made in terms of tooth brushing.
Researchers John Wainwright and Aubrey Sheiham analyzed the suggestions made by 66 dental associations, brush manufacturers and specialized books around the world.
They discovered that dentists advise the use of six different techniques, but do not express their preference for any, which generates confusion.
What to do?
Some people believe that circular movements should be used, which is the technique that is usually taught to children when they are learning to brush.- Image caption
- The toothbrush should not be held with the fist.
- Some think that this style can be combined with horizontal movements. Others suggest performing a kind of sweep starting from the gum.
There are also divergences regarding how long the brush should remain in the mouth. In total, 26 of the recommendations analyzed consider that two minutes is appropriate. Twelve lean for three minutes. In terms of frequency, most consider that twice a day is enough.
For the specialists who participated in the research, it is very worrying that there is no agreement on the subject.
"There seems to be no consensus among dental professionals regarding the best way to brush their teeth for the majority of the population, nor is there a distinction between what people should do depending on their age or considering that they may suffer from some condition particular, "says the study.
The recommendation is ...
For Aubrey Sheiham, who in addition to being one of the coordinators of the study is a professor of Public Dental Health, a fundamental aspect is the way in which the toothbrush is held.
"If you hold your fist, as is often seen in many photographs, abrasion and sensitivity is generated, so it is very important to avoid it," he explained to the BBC.
According to Sheiham, this is the ideal technique for brushing your teeth:
Hold the brush as you would hold a pen, without applying pressure.
Use the horizontal technique, also known as the rubbing method, which consists of smooth movements that go from left to right.
To wash the back of the teeth, vertical movements must be made from bottom to top. The handle of the brush has to point to the ceiling.