Recommendations on toothbrushing techniques

The main objectives of this study were to ascertain the recommendations on toothbrushing technique in adults and children, from dental associations, toothpaste and toothbrush companies and professional sources.

In the search for information ten countries were included: Australia, Brazil, Canada, Denmark, Finland, Japan, Norway, Sweden, the United Kingdom and the United States of America. The underlying reason for choosing these countries is that they were considered to have a significant dental research output.

For adults, the Modified Bass technique is the most frequently recommended method. Other recommended techniques are (in descending order): the Bass technique, Fones, Scrub and the Stillman technique. For children it was the Fones technique that dominated, followed by Modified Bass, Scrub and the Bass method. The results showed a wide range in toothbrushing methods recommended for adults and for children. It seems that a consensus on the superior toothbrushing technique is lacking.

Recommendations concerning toothbrushing frequency differed between the sources, but with a clear dominance for brushing twice daily. There were also variations in brushing duration recommendations, but two minutes did overweigh. In conclusion, this study highlights the need of evidence on the effectiveness of different toothbrushing techniques.