> Has anyone here closely investigated the research that led to recommendations to brush teeth after every meal or at least two times a day, as e.g. suggested on toothpaste containers, and to floss frequently, etc.?
Very interesting, because we teach dental hygienists that flossing + brushing is vital, while powered toothbrushes are for those with dexterity issues (children, elderly, or otherwise). Mind you, brushing and flossing studies have less moral hazard.
>There is some very low-quality evidence that using interdental brushes plus toothbrushing is more beneficial than toothbrushing alone for plaque and gingivitis at one month. There is also low-quality evidence that using interdental brushes reduces gingivitis (gum inflammation) by 52% when compared with flossing at one month. There was insufficient evidence to claim a benefit for either interdental brushing or flossing for plaque.
>There is some evidence from twelve studies that flossing in addition to toothbrushing reduces gingivitis compared to toothbrushing alone. There is weak, very unreliable evidence from 10 studies that flossing plus toothbrushing may be associated with a small reduction in plaque at 1 and 3 months. No studies reported the effectiveness of flossing plus toothbrushing for preventing dental caries.
>The evidence produced shows benefits in using a powered toothbrush when compared with a manual toothbrush. There was an 11% reduction in plaque at one to three months of use, and a 21% reduction in plaque when assessed after three months of use. For gingivitis, there was a 6% reduction at one to three months of use and an 11% reduction when assessed after three months of use.
From my own experience Brush Picks are the ultimate interdental tool. I keep a small container full of them at my work and home desk and it's become a passive activity to fully clean all of my teeth, multiple times a day.
From adding Brush Picks to my already solid regimen of brushing 2-3 times a day depending on how much I've eaten I've achieved something I never had before in my ~30 years of living: Real compliments about my teeth from my dentist. No but's, no side note, no complaints. Just an unexpected compliment followed by questions of how I achieved such a feat.
> Very interesting, because we teach dental hygienists that flossing + brushing is vital, while powered toothbrushes are for those with dexterity issues (children, elderly, or otherwise).
For what it's worth, every dentist/hygienist I've ever had has told me that electric toothbrushes are better.
http://www.cochrane.org/CD009857/ORAL_cleaning-between-the-t...
http://www.cochrane.org/CD008829/ORAL_flossing-to-reduce-gum...
http://www.cochrane.org/CD002281/ORAL_poweredelectric-toothb...