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A New Innovative Toothbrush-Your Finger?
New Study Shows Third Daily Application Of Fluoride Makes A Big Difference
Most people agree that cavities are no fun, but are they doing enough about it? In the world of dentistry, prevention is a big deal. In Sweden about 8 years ago a new toothpaste brand was launched. It contains more than triple the amount of fluoride in standard toothpaste. This particular toothpaste was developed to help people who have a higher risk of getting cavities.
This new toothpaste went through its first evaluation by researchers from the Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of Gotheburg. This study has found that by using this high-fluoride toothpaste three times daily, the participants in the study were receiving fluoride protection that was four times better than that received by participants that only brushed twice a day with standard toothpaste. You can imagine that this would be great news to a dentist.
The old standards that your dentist has been encouraging may fly out the window for patients who are prone to caries with the information from this study. In addition, the field of dentistry may have found a new method of applying toothpaste that actually helps to increase fluoride protection. Professor Dowen Birkhed helped to test the application of toothpaste directly onto the teeth by rubbing it on with a finger. They suggested that this may be an easy way to add that third application of fluoride that appeared to be so essential in the study. You can see why dentistry could be affected by this discovery. It was suggested that application by this method may be easy to do after lunch, but is not a replacement for regular brushing night and morning. It is an extra boost that can be given to the teeth.
If you find it hard for your children to brush their teeth often enough, you may want to try this new method of rubbing the toothpaste on the teeth as an extra measure of protection. Brushing twice a day is still essential, but brushing or rubbing on toothpaste a third time can greatly increase the fluoride protection on your teeth, which is why dentistry is very interested in this study.
