Dry Brushing Teeth!

Buttercup

I've just read that dry brushing teeth is 67 per cent more effective at cutting plaque than wet brushing and 50 per cent better at fighting gum disease!

Debt_Free_Chick

Where - details please as I have chronic periodontal disease

Nile

Buttercup wrote:

I've just read that dry brushing teeth is 67 per cent more effective at cutting plaque than wet brushing and 50 per cent better at fighting gum disease!

..........but will you end up with teeth which look like the Queen Mother's did?:eek:

Buttercup

Its in issue 13, Bella mag under "20 lazy ways to improve your health"

sra

Buttercup wrote:

I've just read that dry brushing teeth is 67 per cent more effective at cutting plaque than wet brushing and 50 per cent better at fighting gum disease!

I'm sure I heard this years ago.
It was something to do with being able to clean your teeth for longer because people don't like toothpaste in their mouth too long - something I've never minded

Jay-Jay_4

Toothpaste makes me sick and has done since my first pregnancy (over 6 years ago). I told my dentist and she told me to brush without using anything as you still remove food particles and yucky build up. I don't see the difference whether wet or dry if you're not using toothpaste though you need to have a good rinse afterwards to wash out the debris.

I do use toothpaste but most of the time it makes me gag so occasionally (if I feel sure that it'll make me sick) I don't use it.

System

I have a sonicare toothbrush and find it easier to use and more thorough if i dont use toothpaste. Ive never thought about dry brushing though.

Queenie

I have an electric toothbrush ... when I first got it, put my toothpaste on, gave it a dampning by waiving it under the tap water ... turned it on ....

... sprayed the whole wretched bathroom in watery paste splatts!

BFG_2

An ultrasonic t/brush is the best way to clean your teeth;

Of course what you eat and drink helps to keep them clean in the first place!!!

Toothsmith

Queenie wrote:

I have an electric toothbrush ... when I first got it, put my toothpaste on, gave it a dampning by waiving it under the tap water ... turned it on ....

... sprayed the whole wretched bathroom in watery paste splatts!

They taught us not to do that at dental school!!!! It's surprising how many dental students do that with the pink polish & brush first time they come to do it on a patient!!! :rotfl:

I've not actually heard of the dry brushing thing either. I can see the sense in it though, although there are lots of beneficial things in toothpaste.I guess it means more than that though? Not even wetting your toothbrush first?
That would mean that it is the saliva that is being rubbed over the teeth, and the agitation of the bristles that is doing the work. Saliva has some excellent tooth healing properties (That's why it's there!) So again it all sounds quite plausible.

I don't think I'll be changing how I advise patients based on an article in bella though If the BDJ runs it, I'll think again.

Toothsmith

BFG wrote:

An ultrasonic t/brush is the best way to clean your teeth;

Not actually true I'm afraid, despite them being the most expensive ones.

The ones that pulsate/oscillate have been shown to be the most effective in clinical trials. (eg Braun Oral B type) Braun only brought out an ultrasonic one to compete at the top end with Sonicare. Privately they admit that their cheaper pulsating/oscillating one is better.

Don't be confused by the fact that dentists and hygienists use ultrasonic devices. The power that ours generate is in a different league to the power generated by ultrasonic brushes.