Bacterial infections in the mouth have been linked to health consequences in other areas of the body.
Inflammatory molecules produced by bacterial in the mouth can travel through the bloodstream to damage the brain and other organs.
Gum disease is preventable by maintaining good habits of brushing teeth, flossing and visiting a dentist.
Despite the widespread agreement dental health is good, experts have very mixed opinions on how to go about it.
A UCL study published in the British Dental Journal found there was an “unacceptably wide diversity in recommendations” on the correct way to brush teeth.
No agreement could be found between the methods suggested by toothpaste companies, dental associations, medical textbooks and research papers.
We know the prickly end goes in our mouth, but there are many small disagreements about what to do next.
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Other experts have also commented on the UCL study.
Professor Michael Yunker of the Eastman Institute for Oral Health notes there isn’t a single optimal technique that is the ‘best’ brushing method for everyone.
“Frankly, the best technique is whatever each person needs to do for their particular dental situation.”
