Best method for brushing teeth revealed

By Rebecca Smith, Medical Editor

1:19PM BST 08 Aug 2014

Researchers found a myriad of different brushing techniques from dentists and toothpaste companies which has led to confusion among patients and said the simply scrub is the best method.

From a young age children are taught how to remove food debris and plaque from their teeth but even dentists disagree on the best technique, it has been found.

A study discovered five different methods in dental textbooks, research papers and manuals from the toothpaste industry, with equally differing advice on how often to brush teeth and for how long.

Now experts have said, forget fancy little circles, jiggling the toothbrush along the gum line or elegant downward sweeping motions, the best method is simply to scrub back and forth.

Aubrey Sheiham, Emeritus Professor of Dental Public Health at University College London, senior author of the study, said: “Brush gently with a simple horizontal scrubbing motion, with the brush at a forty-five degree angle to get to the dental plaque......................